Undoubtedly, for infants, especially in the first months, the ideal food is mother's milk. It not only contains all the necessary nutrients, enzymes, hormones, protective factors, but is also easily digested and absorbed by the baby's body. So it is very important to keep breastfeeding as long as possible. The "Global Strategy" for breastfeeding was jointly developed by WHO and UNICEF. Below are its main principles.

1. Early application to the chest - within the first hour after birth!
2. Not feeding the newborn by bottle or other means before the mother attaches it to the breast. This is necessary so that the child does not form an attitude to any other feeding, except for breastfeeding.
3. Joint maintenance of mother and child in the maternity hospital in one ward.
4. The correct position of the baby at the breast allows the mother to avoid many problems and complications with the breast. If the mother was not taught this in the hospital, she should invite a consultant on breastfeeding and learn it specifically.
5. Feeding at the request of the child. It is necessary to put the baby to the breast for any reason, to give him the opportunity to suckle the breast when he wants and how much he wants. This is important not only for the saturation of the child, but also for his psycho-emotional comfort. To feel comfortable, the baby can be applied to the breast up to 4 times per hour.
6. The duration of feeding is regulated by the child: do not tear the child from the breast before he releases the nipple himself!
7. Night feedings of the child provide stable lactation and protect the woman from the next pregnancy up to 6 months - in 96% of cases. In addition, it is night feedings that are most complete and nutritious.
8. Lack of soldering and introduction of any foreign liquids and products. If the baby is thirsty, it should be applied to the breast more often.
9. Complete rejection of pacifiers, pacifiers and bottle feeding. If it is necessary to introduce complementary foods, it should be given only from a cup, spoon or pipette.
10. Transferring the baby to the second breast only when he sucks the first breast. If the mother rushes to offer the baby a second breast, he will not get enough "late milk", rich in fats. As a result, the baby may experience digestive problems: lactose deficiency, foamy stools. Prolonged suckling of one breast will ensure the full functioning of the intestines.
11. Avoid washing nipples before and after feeding. Frequent breast washing removes the protective layer of fat from the areola and nipple, leading to cracking. The chest should be washed no more than once a day during a hygienic shower. If a woman takes a shower less often, then in this case there is no need for additional breast washing.
12. Refusal of control weighings of the child, carried out more often than 1 time per week. This procedure does not provide objective information about the nutritional value of the infant. It only irritates the mother, leads to a decrease in lactation and unreasonable introduction of supplementary feeding.
13. Exclusion of additional expression of milk. With properly organized breastfeeding, milk is produced exactly as much as the baby needs, so there is no need to express after each feeding. Pumping is necessary in case of forced separation of the mother from the child, the mother goes to work, etc.
14. Only breastfeeding up to 6 months - the child does not need additional nutrition and the introduction of complementary foods. According to some studies, a child can be exclusively breastfed without compromising health for up to 1 year.
15. Support for mothers who breastfeed children up to 1-2 years of age. Associating with women who have had positive breastfeeding experiences can help a new mother gain self-confidence and practical advice to help her breastfeed. Therefore, new mothers are encouraged to contact maternal breastfeeding support groups as early as possible.
16. Learning how to care for a child and breastfeeding techniques is necessary for a modern mother so that she can raise him up to 1 year without any hassle with the convenience of herself and her baby. Breastfeeding consultants can help you take care of your newborn and teach the mother how to breastfeed. The sooner a mother learns motherhood, the less disappointments and unpleasant moments she will endure with her baby.
17. Breastfeeding until the child is 1.5-2 years old. Feeding up to a year is not a physiological term for cessation of lactation, therefore, both mother and child suffer during weaning.

RULE OF "DURABLE BREAST"

One of the basic rules for successful breastfeeding is the principle of "on duty breasts". A fairly common problem faced by young mothers is that the baby does not completely empty the breast and receives less "back", fatty and nutritious milk, but receives an excess of fore milk - "liquid" and sweet, with a high content of lactose. As a result, problems with the gastrointestinal tract may arise, because the baby’s stomach is not able to independently digest a large amount of lactose, and the crumbs’ body should have received the enzymes necessary for its digestion with a portion of hind milk. Such unsystematic attachments to the breast are also fraught with a decrease in lactation, because the mother's body adapts to the requirements of the child - and if the child sucks the breast a little and does not empty it, then less and less milk will be produced over time.

In this case, the method of "on duty breast" will help. The bottom line is that, regardless of the number of attachments, only one breast is offered for 2-2.5 hours, then, for the next 2-2.5 hours, only the other. The duty breast rule is of particular importance during the establishment of breastfeeding, when the child is applied on demand. In addition, this method significantly reduces the risk of milk stagnation. In addition, such periods of increased feeding frequency can occur in a child not only immediately after birth, but also in children with an already formed feeding interval during illness and during a lactation crisis in the mother (at 3-3.5 months, 6-7 months ).

Breastfeeding support website

1. Early breastfeeding - within the first hour after birth!

2. Elimination of feeding the newborn from a bottle or in another way before the mother attaches it to the breast. This is necessary so that the child does not form an attitude to any other feeding, except for breastfeeding.

3. Joint maintenance of mother and child in the maternity hospital in one ward.

4. The correct position of the baby at the breast allows the mother to avoid many problems and complications with the breast. If the mother was not taught this in the hospital, she should invite a lactation consultant and learn it specifically.
5. Feeding at the request of the child. It is necessary to put the baby to the breast for any reason, to give him the opportunity to suckle the breast when he wants and how much he wants. This is important not only for the saturation of the child, but also for his psycho-emotional comfort. To feel comfortable, the baby can be applied to the breast up to 4 times per hour.
6. The duration of feeding is regulated by the child: do not tear the child from the breast before he releases the nipple himself!
7. Night feedings of a child provide stable lactation and protect a woman from the next pregnancy up to 6 months - in 96% of cases. In addition, it is night feedings that are most complete and nutritious.
8. Lack of soldering and introduction of any foreign liquids and products. If the baby is thirsty, it should be applied to the breast more often.
9. Complete rejection of the pacifier, pacifier and bottle feeding. If it is necessary to introduce complementary foods, it should be given only from a cup, spoon or pipette.
10. Transferring the baby to the second breast only when he sucks the first breast. If the mother rushes to offer the baby a second breast, he will not get enough “late milk”, rich in fats. As a result, the baby may experience digestive problems: lactose deficiency, frothy stools. Prolonged suckling of one breast will ensure the full functioning of the intestines.
11. Exclusion of washing the nipples before and after feeding. Frequent breast washing removes the protective layer of fat from the areola and nipple, leading to cracking. The chest should be washed no more than once a day during a hygienic shower. If a woman takes a shower less often, then in this case there is no need for additional breast washing.
12. Refusal of control weighings of the child, carried out more often than once a week. This procedure does not provide objective information about the nutritional value of the infant. It only irritates the mother, leads to a decrease in lactation and unreasonable introduction of supplementary feeding.
13. Exclusion of additional expression of milk. With properly organized breastfeeding, milk is produced exactly as much as the baby needs, so there is no need to express after each feeding. Pumping is necessary in case of forced separation of the mother from the child, the mother goes to work, etc.
14. Only breastfeeding up to 6 months - the child does not need additional nutrition and complementary foods. According to some studies, a child can be exclusively breastfed without harm to health for up to 1 year.
15. Support for mothers who breastfeed children up to 1-2 years of age. Associating with women who have had positive breastfeeding experiences can help a new mother gain self-confidence and practical advice to help her breastfeed. Therefore, new mothers are encouraged to contact maternal breastfeeding support groups as early as possible.
16. Training in child care and breastfeeding techniques is necessary for a modern mother so that she can raise him up to 1 year without any hassle and conveniently for herself and her baby. Breastfeeding consultants can help you take care of your newborn and teach the mother how to breastfeed. The sooner a mother learns motherhood, the less disappointments and unpleasant moments she will endure with her baby.
17. Breastfeeding until the child is 1.5-2 years old. Feeding up to a year is not a physiological period for cessation of lactation, therefore, both mother and child suffer during weaning.

Breastfeeding is considered the most acceptable for babies. Milk produced by the glands contains a complete set of vitamins and all vital nutrients. Every woman should understand this and not deny the child breastfeeding.

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Breast milk is the best and main food until the baby is introduced to various complementary foods as they grow up. The body of a child with HB develops better, and also has good resistance to various infections and stress.

1. It is necessary to apply the child to the breast immediately after childbirth, if the mother is not forbidden to take the child due to illness.
2. Avoid feeding the newborn with her own milk from a bottle until the mother teaches him at the breast. The child will have a clear mindset artificial feeding and on breast milk.
3. The child and mother after childbirth should be in the same room and constantly contact.
4. Correctly apply the baby to the breast, which avoids various inflammatory and tumor processes in the mammary glands. In order for the position of the child to be correct, it is necessary to consult with a specialist. (see our related article).
5. Feed the child on his first request and provide the opportunity to receive milk in the amount that he requires. In this case, the child will be completely saturated. Also, constant attachment to the breast has a positive effect on lactation, and on the psyche and emotions of the child. (See how to feed -).
6. Make sure that the duration of feeding is under the control of the child. It is not recommended to tear off the baby before the time until he himself releases the nipple.
7. Do not replace nighttime bottle feeding. During attachment to the breast at night, a woman is provided with persistent lactation, as well as protection from unwanted pregnancy for almost six months. Breast milk at night has the greatest value and nutritional value. () .
8. Exclude any additional liquid - water, juices and compotes, if the child requires a drink. It is advisable to drink it only with breast milk (foremilk allows the baby to completely get drunk).
9. Do not accustom a newborn to a nipple and bottle feeding. Complementary foods should be given from a special cup, teaspoon or pipette () .
10. Transfer the baby to the other breast until he has emptied the first. The last drops of milk are more nutritious, so if a new mother rushes to give a second breast, the baby will not receive these rich nutrients. This leads to problems with digestion and malfunction of the intestines.
11. Exclude frequent washing of the nipples, which leads to the loss of a specific layer that forms around the areola and the appearance of cracks. Breasts can be washed no more than once a day during the mandatory hygiene procedures before bedtime.
12. WHO recommends refusing constant weighing of the body weight of a newborn if they are prescribed more than once a week. Even if the child does not gain weight to the full extent, this does not yet indicate deviations, but only leads to the mother's frustration. As you know, any stress has a bad effect on lactation.
13. Breast pumping only when absolutely necessary. So that there are no milk residues in the mammary glands, it is necessary to develop proper nutrition with complete emptying of the breast. Pumping is necessary only when the mother is separated from the child for an indefinite period or when she enters a job.
14. Until 6 months, do not include complementary foods, since breast milk is a complete food for a child () .
15. Associate with women who have successfully breastfed their children and have good experience in this. Practical Tips and advice from maternal support groups is needed for new mothers who have no experience in feeding children ( Recommended: >>>).
16. Provide the child with long-term feeding - up to 2 years, so that he endures weaning with less psychological trauma.

You should not easily refuse what the WHO recommends, because the main activity of specialists in this field is to ensure the maximum comfortable development of the child and the psychological peace of the mother.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure the health and survival of children.

Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding up to two years of age could save the lives of approximately 800,000 children each year. Globally, less than 40% of children under six months of age are exclusively breastfed.

Appropriate counseling and support for breastfeeding is essential for mothers and families to initiate and maintain optimal breastfeeding practices.

WHO actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for infants and early age. This fact sheet shows the many benefits of this practice and how continued support for mothers can help increase breastfeeding worldwide.

WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. At six months of age, solid foods, such as fruit and vegetable purees, should be introduced in addition to breastfeeding until two years of age and beyond. Moreover:

• breastfeeding should begin within the first hour after birth
• breastfeeding should be done “on demand”, as often as the baby wants, day and night
• bottles and pacifiers should be avoided.

Benefits for Children's Health

Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants.

It contains all the nutrients children need to healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help protect children from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, two of the world's leading causes of death for children. Breast milk is readily available and affordable, which contributes to the provision of adequate nutrition for infants.

Benefits for mothers

Breastfeeding also provides benefits for mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with natural (but not guaranteed) birth control (98% protection in the first six months postpartum). It reduces the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer later in life, type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression.

Long-term benefits for children

In addition to the direct benefits for children, breastfeeding contributes to ensuring good health throughout life. Adolescents and adults who were breastfed as children are less likely to be overweight or obese. They are less likely to have type 2 diabetes and show higher test scores for intellectual development.

Why not infant formula?

Infant formula does not contain the antibodies found in breast milk. The long-term benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies cannot be replicated with infant formula.

If infant formula is not prepared properly, there are risks associated with the use of unsafe water and non-sterile supplies or the potential presence of bacteria in powdered formula. Over-diluting formula to "stretch" supplies can lead to malnutrition. Stocks breast milk are maintained through frequent breastfeeding, so when used infant formula becomes unavailable, it may not be possible to return to breastfeeding due to reduced breast milk production.

HIV and breastfeeding

An HIV-infected mother may pass the infection to your baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) given to a mother or child at risk of exposure to HIV reduce the risk of transmission. Breastfeeding in combination with ARVs has the potential to significantly improve the chances of survival of children who remain HIV-negative. WHO recommends that breastfeeding HIV-infected mothers should receive ARVs and follow WHO guidelines for infant feeding.

Regulation of breast milk substitutes

in 1981, the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes was adopted. He calls

• include information on the benefits of breastfeeding and the health risks of substitutes on all infant formula labels
• do not encourage the sale of breast milk substitutes
• not provide free substitute samples to pregnant women, mothers, or their families
• do not distribute free substitutes or provide subsidies for them to health workers and medical institutions

Mothers need support

Breastfeeding needs to be learned. In the beginning, many women face difficulties. Many common practices, such as mother and child stay
in separate wards, the use of neonatal wards and complementary feeding formulas actually complicate breastfeeding for mothers and babies. Health facilities that support breastfeeding, by avoiding the above practices and by having trained lactation consultants available to new mothers, are helping to increase the rate of breastfeeding. The WHO-UNICEF Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative, which aims to provide such support and improve maternal and newborn care, has such facilities in 152 countries.

Work and breastfeeding

Many mothers returning to work give up part or all of breastfeeding because they don't have enough time or space to breastfeed, pump and store their milk. Mothers should be provided with a safe, clean and private space at or near work so that they can continue breastfeeding. Conditions that provide opportunities for mothers, such as paid maternity leave, part-time work, workplace nurseries, places to express and store breast milk, and breaks provided for breastfeeding can facilitate breastfeeding.

The next step is the gradual introduction of solid foods.

To meet the growing needs of children at six months of age, mashed solid foods should be introduced in addition to continued breastfeeding. Meals for children can be prepared separately or from food intended for other family members. The WHO notes that:

• with the introduction of solid food should not reduce the amount of breast milk
• solid food should be given with a spoon or cup, not in a bottle
• solid food should be clean, safe and available locally
• Young children need time to learn how to eat solid foods.

Almost every new mother faces a variety of problems when breastfeeding. In order to avoid unforeseen situations during lactation, it is worth following the WHO recommendations on breastfeeding, clearly defined by months. With their help, every young mother will be able to establish this important process for every woman and fully enjoy motherhood.

In 2003, within the framework of the international meeting World Organization Health has approved a declaration on infant nutrition. Thanks to the adoption of this document, an increasing number of young mothers prefer to feed with their own milk, and this serious topic is being promoted at the level of medical institutions.

In the course of research by WHO and UNICEF specialists, it was found that breast milk has a huge impact on physical and mental development in children under one year old, namely:

• Breast milk is a complete source of nutrition for a newborn. So, according to the existing table, babies under the age of six months receive 100% of the nutrients they need with mother's milk, from 6 to 12 months - 75%, and after a year - 25%.
• In the complete absence of breastfeeding, the risk of mortality among newborns rises to 70%. This applies to formula-fed children from poor countries where infectious diseases predominate.
• Breast milk affects mental development. Breastfed babies show higher developmental rates than formula-fed babies.
• Breast milk is a reliable protection against obesity. According to statistics, children in artificial feeding, subsequently suffer from overweight 11 times more often than babies who grew up on mother's milk.

The main motive of the WHO and UNICEF declaration is to promote the principles of breastfeeding among young mothers. This program for HS reduces the increase in mortality among children from 1 to 5 years in countries with a disadvantaged economic situation.

The WHO principles of feeding involve obtaining mother's milk directly from the breast. If you feed a baby from a bottle with breast milk or milk formulas, he will not get the benefit (although the norms of weight gain according to the table by months can be observed) that the baby receives by listening to the mother's heartbeat, feeling her caress and warmth. This aspect is very important because it affects the emotional contact between mother and child. Practical guide on nutrition of children consists of 10 principles. They should help breastfeeding and medical staff to properly organize the process of breastfeeding by months. It is worth familiarizing yourself with these principles of breastfeeding in more detail.

Support for breastfeeding principles

According to WHO recommendations, each medical institution is obliged to create comfortable conditions for young mothers to improve the lactation process in the first days of the birth of a child. This will help the nursing mother to adapt faster and get rid of all the worries about breastfeeding.

Education of medical personnel

Unfortunately, not all medical institutions can provide qualified assistance to young mothers. For many years, the issue of breastfeeding was not given much attention. Women lacked certain knowledge, which is why many refused to breastfeed. Today, the situation is gradually changing.

How to feed her newborn baby, each woman decides for herself. This important issue is decided long before the birth of the child, and this decision is usually influenced by scary stories heard somewhere about breastfeeding, possible congestion in the chest, feeling unwell and constantly crying and hungry baby. To prevent a negative attitude towards the natural process of feeding, medical personnel are obliged to advise expectant mothers at the stage of pregnancy, as well as immediately after the birth of the baby.

First aid for breastfeeding for women in labor

According to WHO recommendations, the first attachment of a newborn to the breast should occur at least 30 minutes after birth. During this period, the process of producing breast milk is activated in a woman, and the child, tired during the birth process, will be able to eat and fall asleep. If you do not attach the baby to the breast in time, then he will fall asleep, and the young mother will not have milk.

At first, only a young mother stands out. Many underestimate its role for the baby. However, even these minor drops can be of great benefit to the child, because colostrum:

• Strengthens the immune system, protects the child's body from infections.
• Helps to clear the intestines of meconium, thereby reducing the amount of bilirubin.
• Fills the food tract with beneficial microflora.
• Enriches the child's body with vitamin A.

Preservation of breast milk in case of temporary separation of mother and child
There are times when a newborn and his mother need to be temporarily separated for health reasons. In this case, staff in many medical institutions trying to feed the baby with an artificial mixture. The child quickly gets used to the fact that he does not need to strain, because mother's milk needs to be “extracted”, and from the bottle it flows freely by itself. In most cases, the baby stops demanding the breast. In such a situation, a young mother should regularly express milk, and do not panic if its amount is very small. The main thing is that the breast will receive a signal about feeding, and gradually the lactation process will improve.

If staying in maternity hospital, a young mother can still get the necessary advice from medical personnel, then after discharge, at home, many women are tormented by questions, the answers to which are not always possible. In this case, it is recommended to breastfeed based on the principles and recommendations of WHO:

• In the first days, the newborn will have enough colostrum. Since not everyone can immediately establish successful breastfeeding, do not despair, a small but no less valuable amount of colostrum will be enough for the baby.
• Remember that water overloads the kidneys of a newborn. You should not supplement the baby, he will have enough colostrum.
• Do not formula feed your baby. Often this leads to violations of the intestinal microflora.
• Round-the-clock stay of the baby with mom. The joint stay of a woman in labor with a child will give confidence to both of them - the baby will be calm and protected, and the young mother will be able to quickly adapt to new conditions.