Breastfeeding

We know that breastfeeding brings great benefits, even if it only lasts for the first days of the baby's life. However, the longer it lasts, the greater the benefits for both mother and child.

Despite the fact that breastfeeding is the best and science continues to prove the many benefits of breastfeeding a baby, many people still criticize or point to nursing mothers, making unpleasant comments.

The literature on breastfeeding, pediatricians, midwives, and qualified lactation consultants repeat ad nauseam that, with few exceptions diagnosed by specialists, all women can breastfeed their children and can produce enough milk.

Although we know that breast milk is the best food for the baby during its first months of life, some women cannot breastfeed or simply choose not to, and it is a decision that must be respected, since only she knows the circumstances by which it is made that decision.

The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and supplementing it with other foods until at least two years of the child.

Breastfeeding brings many benefits to mother and baby. We know that the ideal is to keep it up to six months exclusively and, from there, accompanied by other foods until the mother and baby want it.

The other day, a pregnant friend confessed to me that she was surprised by the number of people who in recent weeks had asked her whether or not she would breastfeed her baby when it was born. "Friends, family and acquaintances seem to have a barbaric obsession with this subject. Why is everyone so concerned about the diet my son will have?" - I wondered stunned.

Breast milk is the ideal food for the newborn and for the baby up to six months of life exclusively, that is, it does not need other foods. It is well tolerated by the vast majority of babies; otherwise, we would not have gotten here as a species! But are there any exceptions to this? Can some babies not tolerate their mother's milk or have an allergy to it?