Breastfeeding

·        Completely meets the needs of the newborn in the first days despite its small quantity, as it meets their needs for calories, proteins, and vitamin A.

·        Colostrum is very useful for protecting the infant from many infectious diseases that may afflict the child early in life, as it contains a large amount of antibodies against many bacteria and viruses.

·        Colostrum acts as a mild laxative.

General Benefits for the Infant

·        Mother's milk is ideal for premature infants (rich in protein, immune bodies, and lactoferrin, which are factors that protect premature infants from serious disease infections).

·        Contains easily digested and metabolized proteins.

·        Contains antibodies (IGs), immune cells (macrophages), and immunomodulators (cytokines).

·        Encourages the growth of friendly bacteria in the infant's intestines (Lactobacillus bifidus) - Prebiotic.

·        Protects the child from obesity because it contains leptin, which gives the child a feeling of fullness and protects them from obesity.

·        Contains a unique set of nutrients and growth factors that help in the physical and neurological completion of the brain in the first six months as a result of stimulating the growth and maturation of many nerve cells and the myelination of nerves.

·        Contains the sugar "lactose," which provides the child with the energy needed during growth and also enters into the formation of the child's nervous system.

·        The percentage of iron in breast milk is sufficient for the child's needs in the first six months because it contains lactoferrin and a sufficient proportion of vitamin C, which helps in the absorption of iron, thus protecting the child from anemia.

·        Protects the child from rickets as it leads to the effective absorption of vitamin D despite its small amount, and contains a sufficient and proportionate percentage of calcium and phosphorus.

·        Breastfeeding affects the stability of the child's psychological state and is reflected in their behavior.

·        Creates close contact and supports the loving relationship between the child and their mother.

·        Affects the cognitive and emotional intelligence of the child, which increases proportionally with continued breastfeeding for two years.

·        All these benefits are more effective the earlier and more exclusively breastfeeding occurs in the first six months and continues for at least two years.

Important Tips:

·        The mother should start breastfeeding her newborn immediately after birth because this positively affects milk production and she should continue exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.

·        Colostrum continues after birth for about three days, then milk production begins in larger quantities. If the breast is not continuously emptied, the mother may feel pain and tingling in the breasts with swelling, which may be accompanied by a high temperature.

·        Milk supply increases with continued breastfeeding and is stimulated by the baby's suckling of the mother's breast.