Giving a baby nourishment from the breast of the mother.
Feeding a baby from the mother’s breasts as opposed to from a bottle.
Feeding a newborn on human milk from a mother’s breasts, the natural and traditional method of feeding infants. Breast milk is produced in response to a variety of hormones but especially prolactin, which is produced by the pituitary gland in response to the infant’s sucking on the breast and so is maintained as long as nursing continues.
Suckling (nursing) of an infant at a mother’s breast (as contrasted with bottle feeding). Many authorities recommend breast feeding as a means for establishing a bond between mother and infant and giving the infant the natural benefits of mother’s milk for nutrition and immunity.
Nourishing an infant with milk from a woman’s breast. Breast-feeding, also called nursing, is the medically preferred way to feed a baby; it is inexpensive, nurturing, and convenient and benefits both the mother and child. Breast-feeding traditionally has been thought to provide protection against pregnancy, but it is not a reliable means of birth control.
This is the natural way to feed a baby from birth to weaning. Human milk is an ideal food, containing a proper balance of nutrients to promote ideal growth and development as well as an essential supply of antibodies to protect the infant against infections. Breast feeding also strengthens the physical bond between mother and child. For the first few weeks, feeding should be on demand. And babies can be very demanding not sticking to the formula feeding rule of taking a feed every 3—4 hours. In fact, for a short time in their early weeks, babies may demand a breast feed up to 12 times daily before settling down to a more practical pattern. While nearly every woman is capable of successful breast feeding, cultural distaste, discouragement from relatives or health-care providers and the pressures of modern life, especially for working mothers, can make it hard to continue breast feeding. Sometimes infections occur, producing soreness and even an abscess. UNICEF published its Baby Friendly Initiative in 1994 to provide advice on how to encourage breast feeding.
The giving of mother’s milk to a newborn, infant, or child. Mature mother’s milk and its precursor, colostrum, are considered the most balanced foods available for normal newborns and infants. Breast milk is sterile, easily digested, and nonallergenic. It contains maternal antibodies that protect against many early childhood illnesses and lipids that stimulate early brain development. Suckling by the baby in turn stimulates release of oxytocin, a pituitary hormone that stimulates uterine contractions and promotes the return of the uterus to a normal nongravid size and state. Breastfeeding may engender or strengthen early bonding. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — among many other groups – encourage health care professionals to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding as the exclusive nourishment for the first 6 months of life, followed by gradual supplementation with iron-rich foods for the next 6 months, with continuation of breastfeeding for as long as the mother and child desire.
Breastfeeding, the natural approach to nourishing infants from birth until the introduction of solid foods, offers numerous benefits. Human milk contains an optimal blend of nutrients for babies and imparts valuable antibodies, which are immune system proteins that help protect against infections. During the initial days after birth, the breasts produce a thin fluid called colostrum. The act of breastfeeding stimulates milk production, and typically within three to four days, a steady milk flow is established.
Breastfeeding challenges can arise due to issues such as breast engorgement, cracked nipples, or difficulties with the baby’s sucking technique. Seeking guidance from a breastfeeding advisor can be beneficial in addressing these concerns. Occasionally, breastfeeding can result in an infection known as mastitis, which may lead to the formation of a breast abscess. In such instances, antibiotic treatment can enable continued breastfeeding while effectively managing the condition.