The importance of breastfeeding is indisputable both for the health of the mother and for the physical and psychological health of the baby, it is known that almost 96% of Brazilian women start breastfeeding , but only 14.7% of them exclusively breastfeed for a period of 4 to 6 months.
When a baby up to 6 months old is fed only breast milk, he does not need any other food to meet his daily nutrient needs. Therefore, it is unnecessary for a child at that age to drink water, tea, baby food or any other type of food.
Breast milk also prevents the appearance of some pathologies such as diarrhea (in children, diarrhea can lead to death from dehydration), intestinal infections, pneumonia, ear infections, allergies and much more.
It also favors speech, as it prevents the teeth from closing incorrectly, in addition to reducing the incidence of cavities.
About Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding as soon as the baby is born decreases the mother’s bleeding after birth and makes the uterus return to normal size faster, and the decrease in bleeding prevents maternal anemia.
Up to the sixth month, only breastfeed.
The baby should breastfeed whenever he wants, including during the night.
This reduces the chance of a new pregnancy if the mother has not yet menstruated. In this way, her body continues to produce enough hormones to help prevent children.
Colostrum is the first milk that the mother produces, it is produced in smaller quantities, which is adequate for the first days. It can be clear or yellow, thick or thin. Colostrum is the food that defends the baby from many diseases, which is why it is compared to a vaccine.
The baby needs to breastfeed the entire breast before moving on to the other, so he takes the milk at the end of the feeding and fattens properly.
The baby is breastfed many times is normal, because breast milk is for digestion easy and soon he feels hungry again.
There is a correct way for the baby to breastfeed, it is called correct attachment. It must occur in such a way that the baby fits the mouth around the areola (the dark part around the beak).
For the baby to let go of the breast without hurting him, the mother must insert her little finger in the corner of the nipple. baby’s mouth.
All types of teats allow breastfeeding, the child does not breastfeed the nipple, he breastfeeds the entire areola.
Ointment, soap or soap should not be used on the nipples, as they are more sensitive and susceptible to cracks.< br>Exclusive breastfeeding (feeding only at the breast) is the best way for a mother to feed her child, as it contains vitamins, minerals, fats, sugars, proteins, all suitable for the baby’s body.
Exclusive breastfeeding also favors affection between mother and child, which reflects on the individual that this child will be in the future.
In addition to these factors, breast milk does not pose a risk of contamination and does not weigh down the bag and the breast. pocket, like a bottle.
The practice of exclusive breastfeeding should occur until the child is 6 months old and then breastfeeding should continue until at least the child is 2 years old in a complementary way, that is, in a way that completes the food that will be offered to the child.
