Because of its inimitable composition, breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It ensures optimal growth and development, as well as protection against certain diseases. But how long does it take to breastfeed to get these benefits? Until what age does breast milk meet the nutritional needs of the baby? Elements of a response under the recommendations of the WHO and the French health authorities.

The qualities of breast milk

Breast milk is perfectly suited to the needs of the infant, both in terms of quality and quantity. It is unique in that it is dynamic: its composition changes over the days, weeks and even the day and during the same feeding, to provide the baby with all the nutrients and other substances he needs for its growth and health. The composition of breast milk also adapts depending on the term of the baby. Thus, in the event of a premature birth, breast milk will be richer in proteins and essential fatty acids, essential for the brain development of the premature baby.

Breastfeeding on demand

Under the law of supply and demand (the more the baby sucks, the more the breast is stimulated and the more milk it will produce), the amount of milk produced also adapts to the baby’s needs. As long as she practices breastfeeding on demand, the mother will always be able to provide her baby with enough milk – except in specific medical situations.

Colostrum

Colostrum refers to the thick, yellowish-colored liquid secreted in small quantities by the breasts during the first days after childbirth, before the flow of milk. This colostrum has a unique composition, perfectly adapted to the particular needs of the newborn. It is particularly rich in:

• antibodies (IgA) and white blood cells, which will help the newborn to protect itself against infections;
• mineral salts, which have the particularity of retaining water in the body of the newborn, thus limiting weight loss in the first days after birth;
• hormones and enzymes that facilitate digestion and promote the evacuation of meconium (the baby’s first stools);
• proteins and growth factors;
• factors promoting the establishment of its intestinal flora.

The composition of breast milk

Mature breast milk is 87% water, 3,8% fat, 1% protein and 7% lactose, but there are many other substances that go into its composition. Some are identified, others are not; some are possible to reproduce in artificial infant formulas, but many are inimitable, giving breast milk its status of reference milk in terms of infant nutrition. 

Breast milk contains many bioactive substances, such as:

• cells (white blood cells, stem cells, etc.) which strengthen the immune system;
• specific proteins essential for the maturation of the baby;
• bioactive carbohydrates (oligosaccharides), which promote the development of the brain, intestinal microbiota and the immune system;
• growth factors (insulin-like growth factor-1, transforming growth factor, leukocyte growth factors, epidermal growth factor);
• cytokines (anti-inflammatory molecules);
• long chain fatty acids, essential for baby’s brain maturation.

“Breastfeeding is one of the first factors in the sustainable protection of the health of the child. », Recalls INPES in its guide to breastfeeding. By its unique and irreplaceable composition, breast milk offers multiple benefits and protections: better digestion, protection against infections, especially gastrointestinal and ENT, protection against obesity. This protective effect is all the more marked when breastfeeding is exclusive and prolonged.

Breastfeeding also has benefits for the mother: a uterine involution (process allowing the uterus to regain its size and its initial position) faster thanks to lactation hormones which accentuate the trenches (the contractions following childbirth) , relative protection against breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Again, the longer breastfeeding, the stronger this protection.

WHO recommendations

Due to the inimitable composition of breast milk and all of its benefits, the WHO and French health authorities recommend exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months. Until this age, breast milk covers all the nutritional needs of the baby, without any other food or drink (not even water, even in a heat wave). It contains all the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, sugars, fats and proteins that the baby needs to grow well, all in the right amounts. 

How to supplement breast milk from 6 months?

After 6 months, milk is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of the infant. It is therefore recommended to introduce from 6 months of other solid foods, in addition to breast milk. This is the recommended age to start diversification. However, milk (breast or artificial) remains the baby’s main food until he is one year old. Between 6 and 12 months, it provides more than half of the energy intake needed by the infant, and a third between 12 and 24 months, recalls the WHO, which recommends partial breastfeeding (breast milk and solid food) up to 2 years. 

Breastfeeding after 2 years

After 2 years, it is of course possible to continue breastfeeding your baby. This long breastfeeding does not in any way threaten his health or his growth. It allows the baby to enjoy the nutritional benefits of breast milk, and close contact with his mother. Thus, mothers breastfeed up to 3, 4 years, or even more. Often, the child will detach naturally from the breast, and the weaning will be smooth. 

Even for a shorter period or only partially, breastfeeding is still beneficial for the baby. However, there must remain a choice and a moment of pleasure for the mother as well, who should in no case “force herself” to breastfeed her baby to follow these recommendations. It is essential to listen to yourself.

Returning to work after maternity leave obviously raises the question of continuing – or stopping – breastfeeding. With a little organization, it is quite possible to continue breastfeeding your baby after returning to work. 

There are two modes of breastfeeding are possible:

Exclusive breastfeeding 

As soon as he is in the presence of his mother, the baby takes the breast. At his place of care, he drinks the mother’s milk that the mother will have previously drawn and stored in accordance with the conservation rules. To be more peaceful, it is advisable to start building up a stock of milk a few weeks before resuming work, by expressing your milk once or several times a day.

Milk can be stored in specific containers in the freezer. Regularly expressing your milk also allows you to increase your production, and thus collect more milk over the days.

Partial breastfeeding

When the baby is with his mother (in the morning, in the evening, on weekends), he takes the breast. At his place of care, he takes baby bottles of formula. Depending on the baby’s age, diversification may compensate for certain feedings in the mother’s absence.

It is quite possible to maintain lactation with partial breastfeeding, especially since the presence of his mother, the baby often makes up for it with more feedings. These “morning and evening feedings” also have the benefit of softening the separation with the baby, sometimes delicate when returning to work.

The Labor Code (Art. L1225-30) grants mothers one hour per day to express their milk (Art. L1225-30) or breastfeed their babies (Art. L1225-31), until the first birthday of the child (Art. L1225-31). This time can be used to breastfeed the child at the workplace itself (Art. L1225-31). In agreement with the employer, it can be modulated according to the working conditions (Art. L1225-30): 2 periods of 30 minutes, one during the morning work, the other during the afternoon. In the absence of agreement, this period is placed in the middle of each half-day of work. This hour is paid at the discretion of your employer. This breastfeeding period is reduced to 20-minute increments if the employer provides its employees with a room dedicated to breastfeeding. If the company has more than 100 employees, the employer is required to set up a breastfeeding room in his establishment or near it (Art. L1225-32).