Breastfeeding is a tough thing to do, especially at the beginning when you may encounter all kinds of troubles and frustrations you didn’t expect, and some moms even give up because of it. In fact, if you really realize the importance of breastfeeding and some common sense of breast milk, you can overcome the difficulties and persevere; you can also take fewer detours to make breastfeeding easier for moms and healthier for babies! First, the benefits of breast milk for infant health: Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and babies, it supplies all the nutrients needed for the healthy growth of babies. Breast milk is a safe food and has antibodies that protect babies from diseases, especially diarrhea and pneumonia, two problems that still claim many babies’ lives around the world. Moreover, mother’s milk is readily available and affordable to anyone, making sure that the baby receives the most appropriate nutrition. Benefits to the mother: Breastfeeding is also beneficial to the mother. Exclusive breastfeeding is a natural (although sometimes unsuccessful) method of contraception (up to 98% contraception rate six months after delivery). Breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer later in life, and also helps the mother return to her pre-pregnancy weight early, reducing the chance of obesity later in life. Long-term benefits for children: In addition to the benefits provided immediately during infancy, breast milk gives babies a lifetime of health! Breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight or obese when they reach adolescence or adulthood. They are also less likely to have type 2 diabetes and have higher IQ test scores. Fourth, how long is breast milk good? For the first six months after birth, breastfeed your baby exclusively. After six months, start to add solid foods, such as crushed fruit or vegetables, and continue breastfeeding until two years old or above. 1. Breastfeeding must be started within one hour of the baby’s birth. 2.Breastfeeding should be done according to the baby’s needs, as soon as the baby needs it, regardless of day and night. 3. Avoid using bottles and pacifiers. Why not choose formula milk? Formula milk does not contain antibodies like mother’s milk. If formula is made with unclean water or unsterilized equipment, there are bacteria in the formula, all of which increase the risk to your baby. In some places, milk is also diluted to prolong its use, causing malnutrition in babies. Breast milk has to be fed continuously to maintain the milk supply, feeding formula if there is suddenly no formula, the baby is cut off from food (because mother’s milk cannot be secreted immediately). HIV and breastfeeding: HIV-infected mothers may transmit the infection to their babies during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) can be given to mothers or HIV-exposed babies to reduce the risk of infection. The WHO recommends that HIV-exposed mothers breastfeed while receiving ARVs and follow the WHO guidelines for infant feeding. An international code for the marketing of breast milk substitutes, introduced in 1981, includes the following elements: all formula labeling or information must explain the benefits of breastfeeding and the risks of formula. No promotional formula 2. No free samples of formula for pregnant women, mothers or their families 3. No free formula for health care professionals or institutions 8. Support for mothers is necessary: Breastfeeding requires learning and many mothers experience many difficulties when they first start breastfeeding. The most common problems are sore nipples and the fear that they will not have enough milk to sustain their baby. Medical facilities that support breastfeeding and have professionally trained lactation counselors available to counsel new mothers can increase breastfeeding rates. With the implementation of the Moonwife Coming Together initiative, mother and baby friendly facilities are now available in 152 countries to provide support and better care for mothers and babies. Work and breastfeeding: Many mothers partially or completely give up breastfeeding once they return to work. The reason is that there is not enough time to express breast milk or there is no suitable place to express and store breast milk. Mothers should have a safe, clean and private place to express breast milk at or near their workplace. It should help if work offers paid parental leave, part-time work arrangements, workplace childcare, equipment for milking or milk storage, and time for milking. How to get your child to accept solid foods: After six months of age, it is important to start adding crushed solid foods in addition to continued breastfeeding for growth. The food can be specially prepared or can be modified from the normal food at home. 2. Food must be fed by spoon or cup, not by bottle. 3. Food must be clean, safe and locally available. 4. Give your child enough time to learn to accept solid foods.