Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is when a woman feeds an infant, toddler or a young child with milk produced from her breasts, usually directly from the nipples. Babies have a sucking instinct that enables them to take in the milk.

Related Topics:
Infant - Toddler - Milk - Breasts - Nipple

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Breast milk has been shown to be best for feeding a child. Nevertheless, some mothers do not breastfeed their children, either for personal or medical reasons. Some diseases, such as HIV and HTLV-1, which are transmitted through bodily fluids, can be passed through the breast milk, and may therefore preclude breastfeeding in these cases. Some medicines may also transfer through breast milk. However, most medicines are transferred in very small amounts and are considered safe to take during breastfeeding. Therefore most women are not precluded from breastfeeding, and doctors and Governments are keen to promote the practice.

Related Topics:
HIV - HTLV-1

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Many governmental strategies and international initiatives have promoted breastfeeding as the best method of feeding a child in its first year. So does the World Health Organization (WHO) http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/NUTRITION/infant_exclusive.htm and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b100/6/1035 and many others.

Related Topics:
World Health Organization - American Academy of Pediatrics

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