Nutrition during breastfeeding WHO. WHO recommendations on breastfeeding

1. Early breastfeeding - within the first hour after birth!

2. Avoid feeding the newborn with a bottle or other method before the mother attaches him to the breast. This is necessary so that the child does not develop a mindset for any other feeding than breastfeeding.

3. Joint maintenance of mother and child in the maternity hospital in the same ward.

4. The correct position of the baby at the breast allows the mother to avoid many problems and complications with the breast. If the mother was not taught this in the maternity hospital, she should invite a lactation consultant and learn this specifically.
5. Feeding on demand of the child. It is necessary to put the baby to the breast for any reason, to give him the opportunity to suckle when he wants and as much as he wants. This is important not only for satiating the child, but also for his psycho-emotional comfort. To feel comfortable, the baby can be attached to the breast up to 4 times per hour.
6. The duration of feeding is regulated by the child: do not take the baby off the breast before he releases the nipple!
7. Night feedings of the baby ensure stable lactation and will protect the woman from the next pregnancy for up to 6 months - in 96% of cases. In addition, it is night feedings that are the most complete and nutritious.
8. No additional soldering or introduction of any foreign liquids and products. If the baby is thirsty, he should be put to the breast more often.
9. Complete refusal of pacifiers, pacifiers and bottle feeding. If it is necessary to introduce complementary foods, it should be given only from a cup, spoon or pipette.
10. Transferring the baby to the second breast only when he has sucked the first breast. If the mother rushes to offer the baby the second breast, he will not receive additional “late milk” rich in fats. As a result, the baby may experience digestive problems: lactose intolerance, foamy stools. Prolonged sucking on one breast will ensure proper bowel function.
11. Avoid washing nipples before and after feeding. Frequent breast washing leads to the removal of the protective layer of fat from the areola and nipple, which leads to the formation of cracks. Breasts should be washed no more than once a day during a hygienic shower. If a woman showers less often, then in this case there is no need for additional breast washing.
12. Refusal from control weighings of the child, carried out more than once a week. This procedure does not provide objective information about the nutritional status of the infant. It only irritates the mother, leads to a decrease in lactation and the unreasonable introduction of supplementary feeding.
13. Elimination of additional milk expression. With properly organized breastfeeding, milk is produced exactly as much as the baby needs, so there is no need to pump after each feeding. Pumping is necessary in case of forced separation of mother and child, mother going to work, etc.
14. Only breastfeeding up to 6 months - the child does not need additional nutrition or complementary foods. According to some studies, a child can be exclusively breastfed for up to 1 year without harming his health.
15. Support for mothers who breastfed children under 1-2 years of age. Communicating with women who have had positive experiences with breastfeeding helps a new mother gain confidence in her abilities and receive practical advice to help establish breastfeeding. Therefore, new mothers are advised to contact maternal breastfeeding support groups as early as possible.
16. Training in child care and breastfeeding techniques is necessary for a modern mother so that she can raise him up to 1 year without unnecessary hassle and comfortably for herself and her baby. Lactation consultants will help you arrange care for your newborn and teach your mother breastfeeding techniques. The sooner a mother learns motherhood, the fewer disappointments and unpleasant moments she and her baby will endure.
17. Breastfeeding until the child is 1.5-2 years old. Breastfeeding for up to one year is not a physiological period for cessation of lactation, so both mother and child suffer during weaning.

Undoubtedly, for infants, especially in the first months, the ideal food is mother's milk. It not only contains all the necessary nutrients, enzymes, hormones, protective factors, but is also easily digested and absorbed by the baby’s body. So it is very important to maintain breastfeeding for as long as possible. The “Global Strategy” for breastfeeding was jointly developed by WHO and UNICEF. Below are its basic principles.

1. Early breastfeeding - within the first hour after birth!
2. Avoid feeding the newborn with a bottle or other method before the mother attaches him to the breast. This is necessary so that the child does not develop a mindset for any other feeding than breastfeeding.
3. Joint maintenance of mother and child in the maternity hospital in the same ward.
4. Correct positioning of the baby at the breast allows the mother to avoid many problems and complications with the breast. If the mother was not taught this in the maternity hospital, she should invite a lactation consultant and learn this specifically.
5. Feeding on baby's demand. It is necessary to put the baby to the breast for any reason, to give him the opportunity to suckle when he wants and as much as he wants. This is important not only for satiating the child, but also for his psycho-emotional comfort. To feel comfortable, the baby can be attached to the breast up to 4 times per hour.
6. The duration of feeding is regulated by the child: do not take the baby off the breast before he releases the nipple!
7. Night feedings of the baby ensure stable lactation and will protect the woman from the next pregnancy for up to 6 months - in 96% of cases. In addition, it is night feedings that are the most complete and nutritious.
8. No additional soldering or introduction of any foreign liquids and products. If the baby is thirsty, he should be put to the breast more often.
9. Complete refusal of pacifiers, pacifiers and bottle feeding. If it is necessary to introduce complementary foods, it should be given only from a cup, spoon or pipette.
10. Transferring the baby to the second breast only when he has suckled the first breast. If the mother rushes to offer the baby the second breast, he will not receive additional “late milk” rich in fats. As a result, the baby may experience digestive problems: lactose intolerance, foamy stools. Prolonged sucking on one breast will ensure proper bowel function.
11. Avoid washing nipples before and after feeding. Frequent breast washing leads to the removal of the protective layer of fat from the areola and nipple, which leads to the formation of cracks. Breasts should be washed no more than once a day during a hygienic shower. If a woman showers less often, then in this case there is no need for additional breast washing.
12. Refusal from control weighings of the child, carried out more than once a week. This procedure does not provide objective information about the nutritional status of the infant. It only irritates the mother, leads to a decrease in lactation and the unreasonable introduction of supplementary feeding.
13. Elimination of additional milk expression. With properly organized breastfeeding, milk is produced exactly as much as the baby needs, so there is no need to pump after each feeding. Pumping is necessary in case of forced separation of mother and child, mother going to work, etc.
14. Only breastfeeding up to 6 months - the child does not need additional nutrition or complementary foods. According to some studies, a child can be exclusively breastfed for up to 1 year without harming his health.
15. Support for mothers who breastfed children up to 1-2 years of age. Communicating with women who have had positive experiences with breastfeeding helps a new mother gain confidence in her abilities and receive practical advice to help establish breastfeeding. Therefore, new mothers are advised to contact maternal breastfeeding support groups as early as possible.
16. Training in child care and breastfeeding techniques is necessary for a modern mother so that she can raise him up to 1 year without unnecessary hassle and comfort for herself and her baby. Lactation consultants will help you arrange care for your newborn and teach your mother breastfeeding techniques. The sooner a mother learns motherhood, the fewer disappointments and unpleasant moments she and her baby will endure.
17. Breastfeeding until the child is 1.5-2 years old. Breastfeeding for up to one year is not a physiological period for cessation of lactation, so both mother and child suffer during weaning.

RULE OF “DUTY CHEST”

One of the basic rules for successful breastfeeding is the “breast on duty” principle. A fairly common problem that young mothers face is that the baby does not completely empty the breast and does not receive enough “hind”, fatty and nutritious milk, but receives an excess of fore milk – “liquid” and sweet, with a high lactose content. As a result, problems with the gastrointestinal tract may arise, because the baby’s stomach is not able to independently digest a large volume of lactose, and the baby’s body would have to receive the enzymes necessary for its digestion with a portion of hind milk. Such unsystematic breastfeeding is also fraught with a decrease in lactation, because the mother’s body adapts to the child’s requirements - and if the child sucks the breast little by little and does not empty it, then less and less milk will be produced over time.

In this case, the “breast on duty” method will help. The bottom line is that, regardless of the number of attachments, only one breast is offered for 2-2.5 hours, then, for the next 2-2.5 hours, only the other. The rule of the duty breast is of particular importance during the establishment of breastfeeding, when the baby is latched on demand. In addition, this method significantly reduces the risk of milk stagnation. In addition, such periods of increased feeding frequency can occur in a child not only immediately after birth, but also in children with an already formed feeding interval during illness and during a lactation crisis in the mother (at 3-3.5 months, 6-7 months ).

Breastfeeding support website

By breastfeeding, WHO means receiving milk directly from the mother's breast, and not just feeding it from a bottle. This is the only way to ensure close emotional contact between mother and baby. Listening to the rhythm of the mother’s heart, feeling her warmth and affection, the baby quickly calms down and feels protected.

Breastfeeding is a natural way to provide nutrients to young children. It contains everything necessary for growth, development, protection from diseases and infections. Almost all mothers can breastfeed their newborns, provided that they eat properly, lead a healthy lifestyle, and receive informational support from health authorities.

The value of colostrum

Very often, mothers try to feed their children with formula from a bottle, citing the fact that they do not get enough to eat and therefore cry. In the postpartum days, the baby's food is colostrum. This is how nature intended it, and the value of this precursor of breast milk is so great that many doctors call it a healing elixir.

The yellowish color of colostrum indicates that it is rich in amino acids and immunoglobulins. They protect the baby from infections that he may encounter in the first days of life. Antibodies protect weak points in the body - the gastrointestinal tract, neck, lungs. During the first feeding, the baby sucks out about a teaspoon of colostrum, which significantly reduces the risk of acute respiratory viral infection and its accompanying complications.

Colostrum has a mild laxative effect, cleanses the newborn's intestines of primary stool (meconium), and prevents jaundice. Compared to regular breast milk, it is more concentrated and nutritious. On the first day of a newborn’s life, the protein concentration in colostrum is about 14%, but there is very little water. Babies do not need water - they are born with a sufficient supply of water for the first time.

Not enough milk: supplement your baby with formula, or listen to WHO?

In the first days of life, newborns behave differently. Some sleep and rarely ask for the breast, while others are active and require feeding every 2-3 hours. During their time together with their mother, most newborns often ask for the breast. This means that they are ready to receive a larger volume of food, and regular breastfeeding actively stimulates lactation.

At this moment, many mothers are afraid that there will not be enough milk and try to feed the baby with formula. It interferes with the formation of normal intestinal microflora, increases the risk of developing allergic reactions, which subsequently affects the child’s health. When supplementary feeding is really necessary, the neonatologist will prescribe it independently.

If there are no indications for introducing formula, it is important for the mother to continue breastfeeding and forget about bottle feeding. 10 WHO recommendations on breastfeeding will help her with this. From them, the mother will be able to obtain all the information that will allow her to establish emotional contact with the baby and provide him with proper nutrition in the first year of life.

If the birth goes according to plan, the baby should be placed on the mother's breast within an hour after birth. The chest is his first landmark in a new, not yet explored world. Perhaps the baby himself will take the initiative and actively begin to smack his lips. Or you will have to do several approaches before the newborn tastes colostrum. The first feeding should not be interrupted. The baby will lower his chest on his own and then most likely fall asleep.

There are situations when it is not possible to put a newborn to the breast. These cases are considered separately by neonatologists. When the birth went well, it is important to use the precious first hour of the baby’s life to establish contact with the mother. The first feeding, carried out by medical staff or by the mother from a bottle or spoon, will not be as useful for many reasons:

• the baby will not receive healing colostrum, which means he will not receive an invaluable portion of nutrients to protect against bacteria and viruses and support the immune system;
• the baby’s digestive and excretory systems are not adjusted to a different diet - thick colostrum gives them an optimal first load, while the formula becomes a serious stress;
• the occurrence of nipple disorientation (the baby gets used to the nipple, not the breast), which can lead to his refusal to take his mother’s breast in the future.

In the first hours after birth, the mother's breasts are not always engorged. A newborn can suck on it, but not get a drop of colostrum. Breastfeeding specialist O.L. Trojan is reassured that this does not affect the further development of the baby. During this period, it is important for him to maintain emotional comfort, and the mother’s care for lactation (breast massage, proper nutrition and drinking regime) will allow the baby to soon receive colostrum and milk.

The first breastfeeding is also important for the mother. Tired after giving birth, she is left alone with her long-awaited son or daughter to experience the mystery of feeding for the first time (we recommend reading:). Soon it will become a habit, but in the meantime, emotional contact is being established and the mother realizes that the most important person has appeared in her life. Lactation also plays a big role in the production of the hormone oxytocin, which provokes uterine contractions and reduces the likelihood of bleeding, and promotes the separation of the placenta.

Staying together in the postpartum ward of mother and child

In modern maternity hospitals, which are guided by WHO recommendations on breastfeeding, the stay of mother and newborn in the same room is organized. This is correct, because despite postpartum fatigue, it is important for the mother to breastfeed her baby in response to any discomfort, anxiety and crying. If your baby is brought in at certain times and the rest of the time he gets water and formula from a bottle, he won't nurse as actively and may refuse to latch on.

When the baby is in the intensive care unit or there are postpartum complications, it is important to try to put him to the breast as often as possible. If the milk has disappeared, do not despair. Timely consultation with a lactation specialist will restore its production. It happens that it is impossible for mother and baby to stay together 24/7. In this situation, it is important to take the following steps:

• after the milk comes in and until it becomes possible to feed the baby on demand, it is important to express once every 3 hours, spending 10 minutes on each breast;
• if the milk has not arrived on the second day after delivery, it is important to invite a specialist who will perform a breast massage that stimulates lactation, or express every 2 hours until the milk arrives (each breast needs to be given 5 minutes of attention);
• if, after resuming natural feeding, the baby refuses to take the breast (which was replaced by a bottle), it is important to continue expressing each breast for 10-15 minutes;
• you should remember that when pumping, it is the fact of breast stimulation that is important, and not the volume of milk released, and do not stop the procedure;
• restoring psychological contact with the baby and establishing impaired breastfeeding can take a lot of time - you should choose the right position and offer the breast when the baby wants to eat or cries.

Learning how to properly attach to the breast

Study the literature that describes the 10 basic principles of breastfeeding, preferably during courses for expectant mothers. It is also available in the wards of maternity hospitals, but sometimes a mother needs more serious support from an experienced midwife or lactation specialist. It is important to teach your baby to latch onto the breast correctly and to eliminate discomfort during feedings. If his position seems unnatural to the mother or the baby has taken the breast incorrectly, it should be taken away and offered again.

Feeding on demand

The fact that the baby needs his mother's breast is indicated by anxiety, turning his head in different directions, searching with his mouth for a finger, a toy, the tip of a blanket, and crying. In this case, the mother is in a hurry to give the baby what he needs. The baby does not always eat milk; sometimes he just sucks to calm down. However, it is important to provide him with breasts whenever he wants. The volume of milk produced directly depends on this recommendation.

During the first 2 weeks of life, infants need 15-20 feedings per day. It is important for mom to maintain personal hygiene and eat right, then lactation will gradually improve and feeding will be comfortable.

Proper breast care

Before breastfeeding, the mother should wash her breasts with mild soap. This will remove milk particles and activate the production of a protective lubricant that prevents dry and cracked nipples. It is important to avoid using scented soaps and deodorants. The pungent aroma can repel the baby, and then he will refuse to feed. When washing linen, nightgowns and clothes, you should also avoid fabric softener and scented powder.

Avoid supplementary feeding with formula before introducing complementary foods into the diet

WHO conducted a study that confirmed that children under 6 months do not need any other food or liquid other than breast milk. It fully meets the baby's life needs. Supplemental feeding with formula and supplementing with water disrupts the intestinal microflora, leading to a false feeling of fullness and refusal of mother's breasts (we recommend reading:). It is important to organize feeding correctly, give breastfeeding to the baby on demand, feed at night, then the baby will not need complementary feeding.

Avoiding frequent pumping

Feeding on demand eliminates the need to pump. It was practiced in the mid-20th century, when regimen feeding was popular. Nowadays, experts recommend expressing in case of mastitis, cracked nipples, insufficient milk production, to maintain lactation during forced separation from the baby. If breastfeeding is established, there is no need to waste time pumping, since regular breastfeeding stimulates milk production.

Mandatory night feedings

Night feedings maintain the level of the hormone prolactin and stimulate constant milk production. The maximum concentration of the hormone is observed in the morning (at 3-8 o'clock); during this period it is advisable to feed the baby 1 or 2 times.

The question of whether to stand up to the baby or put it next to her is something every mother decides for herself. It is believed that sleeping together synchronizes the rhythms of mother and baby, and there is no need to be afraid of crushing the child (this can only happen if the mother weighs more than 150 kg, is intoxicated, has mental disorders, or after taking sleeping pills). Given the mother's fatigue, for safety reasons it is better to put the baby in the crib and get up to him during night feedings.

Avoiding pacifiers and pacifiers

Children suckle differently from the breast and from any, even anatomical, pacifier. Sometimes one bottle feeding is enough for the baby to decisively refuse the breast and it is necessary to establish contact in a new way. There is nothing good in a pacifier either. Its use leads to “nipple confusion” (the pacifier replaces the mother’s breast), a false feeling of fullness, refusal to feed, and weight loss.

However, it is recommended that a young mother have at least one pacifier in her arsenal. It will be needed to calm the baby where it is not possible to offer the breast (on a walk, in the clinic). The sucking reflex encourages babies to hold their mother's breast almost around the clock. When it is impossible for her to constantly be near the baby (household chores, caring for a second child), a pacifier will definitely help out. It is recommended to offer it only if the baby is “used” to the breast.

Continued breastfeeding up to 2 years

WHO recommends not abandoning the principles of breastfeeding until the baby is 2 years old. At this age, children complete important processes of formation of the nervous system and brain, the safe and correct course of which depends on mother’s milk. At about 2-2.5 years, the last milk teeth erupt - a sure sign of readiness to chew and digest solid food.

At 2-3 years old, the baby is psychologically ready to separate from his mother. The word “I” is often heard in his speech, and a desire arises to do something on his own. The increased freedom of the baby and the cessation of breastfeeding are not a reason to refuse emotional contacts. It is recommended to hold the baby to the chest more often, praise him for his successes and in every possible way emphasize your love for him.

Note to mom

International and domestic studies have proven the benefits of breast milk for children under 2 years of age. After a year, breast milk changes composition. It is no longer a staple food, but contains a high concentration of immunoglobulins, which form a protective barrier against infections. According to Western scientists, after a year the concentration of antibodies increases. Babies who receive breast milk at the age of 1-2 years get sick rarely and for less duration.

The fat content of mother's milk increases 2-3 times in the 2nd year of life. It provides the baby with 29% of the energy requirement, 43% of the protein requirement, 94% of the vitamin B12 requirement, and 36% of the calcium requirement. Its optimal composition creates normal conditions for the physical and intellectual development of the child, and reduces the risk of allergy in older age.

Whether to breastfeed your baby according to the basic principles or give preference to formula is an individual matter for the mother. However, it is worth considering that all the advantages are on the side of breastfeeding. In order to maintain the regime, a nursing mother may have to give up her usual pleasures, certain drinks and foods. Here it is important to remember the main goal - raising a healthy, active and fulfilling personality. It starts with breast milk!

What WHO recommendations on breastfeeding should every expectant and established mother know? What is the advice of the World Health Organization? How are they justified and supported? Ten principles for successful breastfeeding in recommendations adopted by the international community.

In 2003, at the international conference of the World Health Organization in Geneva, the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding was adopted. The document is intended to systematize and organize the knowledge of the international community about the value of breastfeeding. And to convey to medical personnel in all countries of the world the need to maintain it through training and informing mothers.

Ideal nutrition - saving lives

In 2000, WHO and UNICEF specialists began a large-scale study to find out how breast milk actually affects children in the first year of life. The results of the study were stunning.

• Depriving children of the first six months of life from breastfeeding greatly increases the risk of mortality as a result of dangerous diseases. About 70% of children in the first year of life living in developing, socially disadvantaged countries of the world, suffering from diarrhea, measles, malaria, and respiratory tract infections, received artificial food.
• Breast milk is a complete source of nutrition and reduces mortality among malnourished children. Studies have confirmed that until the child reaches six months of age, it covers 100% of the necessary nutrients. Up to twelve months it serves as a supplier of 75% of valuable substances, and up to twenty-four months it supplies the child’s body with almost a third of the necessary substances.
• Breast milk protects against obesity. Excess weight is a global problem for humanity. The prerequisites for it are created by artificial feeding of newborns. These children are 11 times more likely to become obese in the future.
• Breast milk develops intelligence. Naturally fed children exhibit higher intellectual abilities than artificially fed children.

The main message given by the World Health Organization in the Strategy is the promotion of breastfeeding in order to reduce child mortality among children from birth to five years of age. This problem is especially acute in socially disadvantaged regions of the planet. But even in developed countries its relevance is high. After all, breastfeeding is the basis of a healthy human life.

The strategy includes ten points that provide practical guidance for medical staff in maternity hospitals and women in labor. Let's take a closer look at WHO advice on breastfeeding.

The basic postulates of the Strategy are based on the principles of widely informing mothers about the benefits of natural feeding.

Supporting breastfeeding rules and regularly bringing them to the attention of medical personnel and mothers

A feature of medical institutions that adhere to the principles of the Strategy in their daily activities is their focus on creating favorable conditions for women in order to stimulate lactation in the first days after the birth of a child. It will be much easier for young mothers to establish natural feeding in such conditions. Health centers that use the WHO Strategy are considered Baby Friendly Hospitals.

Training of medical personnel in breastfeeding techniques

Past medical education programs paid minimal attention to breastfeeding issues. Over seven years of training for maternity ward doctors, literally several hours were devoted to this topic. It is not surprising that “old-school” doctors do not know the basics of natural feeding and cannot give professional advice to mothers.

In Russia, the issue of advanced training for doctors has not been resolved. Additional funds are needed for retraining and courses. Ideally, every employee of a Baby-Friendly Hospital, from the doctor to the nurse, should provide the woman after childbirth with all the information she needs about breastfeeding.

Informing pregnant women about the benefits of breastfeeding

A pregnant woman makes a decision about how exactly the baby will be fed long before giving birth. Various factors can influence this decision. For example, an expectant mother is often prompted to decide to feed formula by “horror stories” from older relatives about the constant crying of a hungry child or mastitis due to stagnation of milk.

Medical personnel should not only inform the young mother about the advantages of natural feeding. But also teach the technique of breastfeeding, which ensures full feeding without problems and discomfort.

Helping mothers in labor start breastfeeding early

The baby's first breastfeeding should occur within thirty minutes of birth. These WHO recommendations for breastfeeding are difficult to overestimate.

Nature has designed the activation of the sucking reflex in a baby during the first hour after birth. If the baby does not receive the breast now, he will probably fall asleep later to rest from the difficult work done. And he sleeps for at least six hours.

At this time, the woman will not receive stimulation of the mammary glands, which is a signal to the body: it’s time! The beginning of breast milk production and its quantity directly depend on the time of the first contact of the woman with the baby. The longer the first latch is delayed, the less milk the mother will receive and the longer she will have to wait for it - not two or three days, but seven to nine...

The first attachment provides the baby with the first and most valuable food for him - colostrum. And even though there is very little of it, literally drops, it has a colossal effect on the newborn’s body:

• populates the food tract with friendly microflora;
• provides immune, anti-infective protection;
• saturates with vitamin A, which facilitates the course of infectious diseases;
• cleanses the intestines of meconium containing bilirubin.

The first application, which took place within half an hour after birth, forms the body's immune defense against environmental hazards. The duration of suckling on each breast for a newborn should be 20 minutes.

Helping mothers conserve breast milk if they are temporarily separated from their babies

Some women are unable to start breastfeeding immediately after giving birth. However, waiting for doctors to allow breastfeeding is disastrous! Lack of breast stimulation leads to delayed lactation: milk comes later and in a much smaller volume than the baby needs.

Babies separated from their mothers are given formula before they are even breastfed. This leads to sad consequences. Once near the mother, the baby stubbornly refuses to take the breast, demanding to be fed from a familiar bottle. The minimum amount of milk in the mother’s breast is an additional factor in the baby’s dissatisfaction. After all, milk needs to be “extracted”, sucked out with effort, and the mixture flows on its own.

When mother and child are separated, breastfeeding recommendations suggest an alternative to feeding - pumping. They should be regular, every two to three hours for 10-15 minutes on each breast. Hand expression after childbirth is uncomfortable and painful. It is better to use a clinical or individual breast pump with a two-phase operating mode.

The amount of milk released is not indicative; do not pay attention to how much came out during pumping. A woman’s task is not to express as much as possible, but to give a signal to the body that it is time to produce milk in full.

Its success and duration largely depend on whether the start of breastfeeding is correct. However, after being discharged from the maternity hospital, the young mother is faced with many questions. WHO breastfeeding recommendations help answer some of these questions.

Lack of food and food other than breast milk

Unless otherwise indicated by individual medical conditions, WHO does not recommend giving children any other food or water until they are six months old.

In the first days of life, the child receives colostrum, rich in nutritional value. The small amount that is produced is enough to satisfy all his needs. There is no need to supplement your baby with anything! Moreover, this is fraught with negative consequences.

• Too much water overloads the kidneys. Supplemental feeding with formula creates an unjustified load on the child’s immature kidneys, which have not yet adapted to living conditions in the environment. Adding water works similarly. The baby does not need additional water during the first days of life. He is born with a supply sufficient until the arrival of the mother's first full milk. Colostrum contains very little water, so it is ideal for the baby’s body.
• The mixture disrupts the intestinal microflora. Usually on the second day after birth, the baby begins to actively suckle at the breast. Inexperienced mothers immediately come to the conclusion that he is hungry and urgently needs to be “fed” with formula. In fact, this is how the baby encourages the mother's body to begin producing primary milk, which comes with colostrum. Neither the baby nor your body needs any help, everything will happen by itself! If you give the baby formula at this moment, the microflora of his intestines will change. Dysbacteriosis will develop, which is the main cause of intestinal colic and crying in infants up to three months of age. It will be possible to normalize the child’s condition, even if you adhere to exclusive breastfeeding, no earlier than in two to four weeks.

Of course, there are situations in which supplementary feeding is necessary. But only a doctor should give recommendations for its administration. Spontaneous decisions of the mother to feed her with formula “one time” are dangerous for the baby.

24/7 shared stay

In practice, it has been confirmed that babies who are constantly in the same room with their mothers are calmer, do not scream or cry. Women who have had time to get to know their children are more confident in their abilities. And even if it is their first baby, upon returning home the mother will not face the problem “I don’t know what to do with him.”

In addition, only staying together after childbirth provides the opportunity for the normal development of lactation.

Feeding on demand

Lactation consultants advise looking at your baby, not the clock. Your baby knows better when he's hungry than you or the hospital staff. On-demand breastfeeding provides several benefits.

• The baby is always full, is gaining weight well.
• The child is calm because he has no reason to worry or be upset. His mother is always nearby, and the breast, which has taken on the “role” of the umbilical cord during intrauterine development, will warm him up, help him sleep and cope with fear.
• There is more milk. The amount of milk in women who feed “on demand” is twice as much as in women who adhere to the regime. This conclusion was made by doctors at Moscow perinatal centers based on an analysis of the condition of women in labor upon discharge home.
• The quality of the milk is better. Feeding “on demand” enriches milk with valuable substances. It has been established that the level of proteins and fats in it is 1.6-1.8 times higher than in the product for “regular” feeding.
• Prevention of lactostasis. The risk of milk stagnation in mothers who breastfeed on demand is three times lower.

The practice of feeding at the child's request should also be followed at home. Gradually, the baby will develop an individual feeding regimen that will be convenient for the mother.

Refusal of products and devices that imitate breasts

The use of pacifiers is possible in artificial babies, who should be offered an alternative to the mother's breast to satisfy the sucking reflex. For infants, this alternative is unacceptable, as it changes the sucking technique and becomes a reason for choosing between the nipple or the breast.

Feeding up to two years

WHO breastfeeding advice includes recommendations to breastfeed until age 2. At this age, mother’s milk plays a primary role in the formation of the baby’s brain, the formation of his nervous system, and the final development of the gastrointestinal tract to fully digest and assimilate “adult” food.

WHO recommends supporting breastfeeding after 2 years in developing countries with insufficient levels of medicine, hygiene, and a simple lack of quality products. It is better to continue feeding mother's milk than dangerous food that can lead to life-threatening diseases, say WHO and UNICEF experts.

It is necessary to maintain breastfeeding after 1 year, according to WHO recommendations. The complementary foods that a child receives are not intended to displace or replace mother's milk. He must introduce the baby to new tastes, unusual textures of foods, and teach him to chew. But the child should still receive the most important substances for the development of his body from his mother’s breast.

Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization will allow every mother to gain confidence in her own abilities. After all, the health of her baby depends on her, and not on doctors, baby food manufacturers or experienced grandmothers. It is based on “white gold” - breast milk produced by the mother’s body in the ideal quantity and composition for her baby.

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Breast milk is an ideal product for feeding children, which fully contains the necessary vitamins and elements for the full development and growth of the baby. Mother's milk is called the ideal food for babies, because it performs a number of important functions:

• Strengthens the child’s immunity, prevents the appearance and development of colds and viral diseases, allergies and dysbacteriosis;
• Milk contains the necessary amount of substances for the normal development of the baby and changes with the age and needs of the child;
• Provides emotional and physical contact between mother and child, which has a positive effect on the baby’s psyche and nervous system;
• Normalizes microflora and intestinal function, which is so important for a newborn and baby in the first two to three months of life. Breast milk normalizes stool and makes it easier;
• Breast sucking forms the correct bite and prevents tooth decay;
• Forms the hormonal and reproductive systems.

WHO Research

The World Health Organization or WHO has conducted numerous studies on breastfeeding. In 2000, experts studied the effect of breast milk on baby development in the first year of life. Among other things, it was found that lack of breastfeeding in the first six months increases the risk of mortality as a result of the development of dangerous diseases.

Research has found that breast milk is a complete source of nutrition and reduces mortality among children who are malnourished. In the first six months, mother's milk provides 100% of the necessary nutrients! Up to one year – 75%, and up to two years – about 35%.

Scientists have found that breast milk prevents excess weight. The risk of obesity and infants is reduced by 11 times compared to artificial ones. In addition, natural feeding stimulates brain function and improves immunity.

In 2001, WHO compiled guidelines for feeding children, which contain general recommendations for nursing mothers, doctors and. The purpose of these recommendations is to promote breastfeeding and reduce mortality among children under five years of age. Let's take a closer look at the rules.

• Put the baby to the breast immediately after birth;
• Do not feed your baby expressed milk from a bottle until the baby is able to suck from the breast;
• After birth, mother and baby should be close and in contact with each other;
• You need to put your baby to your breast correctly. It is important that the baby grasps the nipple correctly and does not swallow a lot of air along with the milk. Incorrect attachment will result in the baby not receiving the required amount of food. In addition, such feeding often causes pain in the breasts and nipples, which is the cause of lactostasis and mastitis. How to properly put your baby to the breast, read;
• Feed the baby on demand and in the amount he requires. Constant latching stimulates lactation and has a positive effect on the baby’s health and well-being;
• Do not force your baby to eat when he doesn’t want to. This will only traumatize the psyche, after which the child will completely refuse to take the breast;
• Do not take the baby off the breast until he releases the nipple on his own or falls asleep;
• Do not replace night feedings with bottle feedings, as night milk has the highest value and nutritional value;
• Do not give your baby extra food in the first 4-6 months and do not give milk, compotes or juices. Breast milk is a great thirst quencher! When you can supplement your child’s drinking, read the article “”;
• Transfer the baby to the other breast only after he has completely emptied the first;
• Do not accustom your newborn to a pacifier and bottle. This simplifies the feeding process, after which... Complementary foods can be given from a cup or spoon, syringe or pipette;
• Do not wash your nipples frequently, do not use natural soaps and towels. Such products irritate the skin, and frequent washing washes away beneficial bacteria and washes away the protective layer around the areola. Wash your breasts no more than twice a day with neutral soap or just water. Use soft wipes. How to care for your breasts, avoid and treat cracked nipples, read;
• This is only possible if absolutely necessary, since frequent pumping leads to hyperlactation. You should resort to this procedure only when the mother is separated from the baby for a long time (departure, going to work, mastitis, etc.);
• Introduce the first complementary foods to infants no earlier than six months after the baby’s birth;
• Ensure breastfeeding until two years of age. Many pediatricians recommend weaning after a year. However, WHO breastfeeding experts are confident that in order not to traumatize the baby’s psyche, breastfeeding should be continued for up to two years. However, this is an individual process and depends on the development and readiness for weaning of each child individually. It is important to gradually, over several weeks or even months, slowly reduce the number of feedings and introduce new complementary foods.

Each country issues its own breastfeeding guidelines. It should be noted that the United States, the former republics of the USSR and some EU countries refused to bring national recommendations into full compliance with the WHO strategy. Thus, some pediatricians believe that complementary feeding should be introduced starting from three to four months.

Official Russian recommendations also advise starting complementary feeding as early as four months. Interestingly, in the USSR it was recommended to use exclusive breastfeeding only in the first month of life, and as the main food for the first four months. It was advised to feed strictly on a schedule and to stop breastfeeding completely by 11-12 months. Soviet doctors recommended that mothers introduce vegetables and fruits, natural juices, and kefir into their infants’ diet already in the second month.

Modern Russian pediatricians categorically disagree with such recommendations for feeding children. Many experts support the rules drawn up by the WHO. They are confident that early complementary feeding leads to anemia and other diseases in children. The optimal age for introducing the first complementary foods is 6-7 months. Introducing complementary foods from 4-5 months is allowed if the child was on mixed or artificial feeding.

More details on the introduction scheme and diet of the first complementary foods can be found at the link.

The nursing mother decides for herself whether to follow WHO recommendations on breastfeeding. As practice shows, a woman finds the optimal way of feeding, because each baby is individual. What suits one baby may not suit another.