Breastfeeding – Everything You Need to Know [EXPLAINED]

Proven content

Although breastfeeding is part of the physiology of every woman, it raises many doubts and raises a lot of questions. Wondering what to eat while breastfeeding? You do not know how to treat yourself during a cold so as not to harm your baby? Below you will find answers to many questions that bother you.

Many myths have arisen around breastfeeding, giving rise to many doubts. So let’s dispel them all in order to give your toddler natural food without fear.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure the health and survival of your baby. If breastfeeding reached close to universal levels, it would save the lives of around 820 babies every year. Worldwide, only 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. WHO is actively promoting breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for infants and young children.

Breastfeeding – for how long?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding a newborn baby begins within one hour of his birth. Babies should only be breastfed for the first six months of life for optimal growth, development and health.

After six months of age, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding while expanding the child’s diet. Babies should receive nutritionally the best and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding. According to WHO recommendations, breastfeeding should last up to two years or more.

Also check: Banana, carrot, or maybe porridge? Expert on expanding babies’ diets

Breastfeeding and protection against childhood diseases

Mother’s milk is an ideal food for newborns and infants. It provides babies with all the nutrients needed for healthy and proper development. Breast milk is safe and contains antibodies that help protect babies from common childhood illnesses, including diarrhea and pneumonia – two of the most common causes of infant mortality worldwide.

See: Mother’s milk from a pediatrician’s perspective – truths and myths

Breastfeeding and the Benefits for Mothers

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type II diabetes and postpartum depression.

Find out more: Postpartum depression – causes, symptoms, treatment

Breastfeeding – Long-Term Benefits

In addition to its direct benefits for babies, breastfeeding contributes to good health throughout life. Adolescents and adults who have been breastfed are less likely to be overweight and obese, less likely to suffer from type II diabetes, and achieve better results in intelligence tests.

Breastfeeding – antibodies in breast milk

The long-term benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and mothers cannot be compared to the formula. If the infant formula is improperly prepared – contaminated water, non-sterile equipment, or the possible presence of bacteria in the formula – can endanger the health of the baby.

By using powdered milk, the infant may malnourish the baby, mainly due to a poorly prepared mixture or its excessive dilution.

Read more: Baby milk – types, ingredients, preparation

Breastfeeding and HIV transmission

An HIV-infected mother can infect her baby during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) given to a mother or newborn baby who are exposed to HIV reduce the risk of transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that HIV-infected breastfeeding mothers receive ARV medications and breastfeed their babies in accordance with the WHO recommendations.

Support for nursing mothers

Breastfeeding has to be learned and many women find it difficult to do so in the first few days after giving birth. Many practices, such as mother-child separation, the use of infant nurseries, and the use of artificial formulas actually make it difficult to breastfeed.

Women who have difficulties with breastfeeding are advised to contact a certified lactation advisor – it will help you choose the right feeding position and help solve other lactation problems.

Read more: Lactation – causes, home remedies for lactation, ways to stop lactation

Breastfeeding at work

Many mothers who return to work choose not to breastfeed completely or partially. This is because they do not have enough time or the right place to feed, express and store milk. Nursing mothers need a safe, clean and intimate workplace to feed their baby, or they need a suitable break to do so at home.

Breastfeeding and solid foods

To meet the needs of infants from six months of age, solid foods should be gradually introduced to complement breastfeeding. Baby food should be specially prepared or composed of the meals of the whole family. WHO notes that:

1. breastfeeding should not be limited, it is the basis of the child’s diet during this period,
2. the food given to the child should be clean and should come from safe sources,
3. it takes time for a young child to learn to eat solid food,
4. it is recommended that the child eat with a spoon alone, but not from a bottle.

10 facts about breastfeeding. A few will surprise you

Breastfeeding in difficult conditions

Families and children in difficult conditions require special attention and practical support. Where possible, mothers and babies should stay together and receive the support they need to get the most appropriate feeding option available.

Breastfeeding remains the preferred method of feeding infants in almost all challenging situations, including:

1. having a baby with a low birth weight or premature baby
2. mothers living with HIV in areas where mortality from diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition is still common,
3. teenage mothers
4. infants and young children who are malnourished,
5. families suffering from complex emergencies.

Also read: Infant nutrition scheme – breastfeeding, artificial feeding, follow-up products

What after breastfeeding?

At around 6 months of age, an infant’s energy and nutrient requirements begin to exceed that provided by breast milk. In order to meet these needs, it is necessary to gradually introduce complementary foods into the infant’s diet.

At this age, babies are also developmentally prepared to eat foods other than breast milk. If complementary foods are not introduced at around 6 months of age or incorrectly administered, the infant’s growth may slow down.

Here principles of proper complementary nutrition:

1. You should continue to breastfeed frequently, preferably on demand, until the age of 2 or more,
2. you should practice responsive feeding (e.g. feed babies directly and help older children. Feed slowly and patiently, encourage them to eat but not force them, talk to your baby and maintain eye contact).
3. practice good hygiene and proper food handling,
4. start from 6 months of age with small amounts of food and gradually increase with the child’s age,
5. you should gradually increase the consistency and variety of food,
6. increase the number of feedings of the child: 2-3 meals a day for infants aged 6-8 months and 3-4 meals a day for infants aged 9-23 months, if necessary, an additional 1-2 snacks,
7. use fortified complementary foods if necessary,
8. during illness, increase fluid intake, including breastfeeding, give soft, favorite foods.

Check it out: The BLW method – what is it, its advantages and disadvantages and when to use it

10 steps to successful breastfeeding

Most of the recommendations contained in the study entitled 10 steps to successful breastfeeding are included in the Regulation of the Minister of Health of August 16, 2018 on the organizational standard of perinatal care (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1756). Thanks to this, it is possible to implement standardized practices supporting breastfeeding at all gynecology and obstetrics departments in Poland.

10 steps to successful breastfeeding

Management procedures:

1. 1a. Fully comply with the International Code for Marketing of Human Milk Replacement Products and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions. 
2. 1b. Have a written infant feeding policy that is routinely communicated to staff and parents.
3. 1c. Create a permanent data monitoring and management system.
4. 2. Ensure that staff have the appropriate knowledge, competence and skills to support breastfeeding.

Key clinical practice

1. 3. Discuss with pregnant women and their relatives the benefits of breastfeeding and the principles of proper breastfeeding behavior.
2. 4. Allow immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and support mothers to start breastfeeding as soon as possible after delivery.
3. 5. Support mothers in initiating and maintaining lactation and in coping with difficulties related to breastfeeding.
4. 6. Do not give breastfed newborns any food or fluids other than breast milk (except for special medical indications).
5. 7. Allow mothers and newborns to stay together and use the rooming-in system around the clock.
6. 8. Support mothers in recognizing the signs of hunger and in responding to the baby’s signals related to the need for feeding.
7. 9. Instruct mothers about the use of baby bottles, teats and teats for calming babies and about the risks associated with breastfeeding. 
8. 10. Coordinate discharge from hospital so that parents and their children have prompt access to care and support after they leave hospital.

Breast pump – what do you need to know about it?

The health benefits of breastfeeding

The advantages of breastfeeding for a child include:

1. reducing the risk of infection, in particular acute otitis media and gastrointestinal inflammation;
2. reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature babies;
3. reducing the risk of overweight and obesity and many non-communicable diseases,
4. including type 1 and type 2 diabetes;
5. reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia;
6. reducing the risk of sudden infant death in infants;
7. reducing the risk of hospitalization in the first year of child and associated life
8. with this stress;
9. breastfeeding helps to exercise the muscles of the face and mouth, which has a positive effect on the development of speech in the child.

The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers include:

1. reducing the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis in old age;
2. faster uterine contraction and reduced risk of postpartum hemorrhage and iron deficiency anemia;
3. the secretion of oxytocin during feeding promotes proper care and establishing proper relations with the baby, as well as reducing tension and stress in a woman.

we recommend: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of childhood leukemia

Breastfeeding and period

During the breastfeeding period, a woman’s body maintains a high level of prolactin. This not only enables the production of natural food, but also contributes to the inhibition of ovulation, and thus – menstruation. However, it is difficult to indicate a specific date for the appearance of the next period – it is an individual matter.

In some women, the first menstruation occurs after the puerperium period, while some women wait for up to several months. It is worth emphasizing that the greater the likelihood of menstruation occurs when the infant’s diet is expanded – a lower frequency of feedings may accelerate the return of menstruation.

When it comes to breastfeeding, the period has little effect on the composition and quality of mum’s milk, as well as on the amount of food produced. There is no need to give up breastfeeding your baby at the time of menstruation.

The doctor replies: Contraception and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding in pregnancy – is it allowed?

Breastfeeding is not an effective method of contraception, so pregnancy is easy if the protection is not used. Is it necessary to give up natural food in such a situation?

When it comes to breastfeeding during pregnancy, possible uterine contractions that may arise from suckling raise the most doubts. It turns out, however, that the child’s intake of food causes the secretion of negligible amounts of oxytocin. In the case of a normal pregnancy, there is no need to wean the baby from the breast.

Breastfeeding – what to eat?

When it comes to breastfeeding, mum’s elimination diet is not a must – as long as the toddler’s body does not have an allergic reaction, e.g. to cow’s milk protein or other food allergens.

During breastfeeding, the diet should be as varied as possible so as not to cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Their deficiencies will not affect the composition of the milk produced (except for iodine, zinc), and will only worsen the condition of the mother’s body.

Wondering what to eat while breastfeeding? In fact, everything is allowed – the exceptions are, however, bloating products, hard-to-digest meals or dishes with the addition of spicy spices.

Colds and breastfeeding – how to heal?

When it comes to colds, you don’t have to give up breastfeeding. However, it is important to use only safe methods of combating disease symptoms. Natural syrups are the best solution. However, taking any medications should be consulted with a doctor.

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.