Breastfeeding and lactation counselling: What pediatricians should know and communicate about breastfeeding and lactation

Abstract

Human milk (breastfeeding) is the normal form of nutrition for infants. Breastfeeding is the standard form of feeding during the first period of life of a human being. When introducing supplementary foods, exclusive breastfeeding evolves into partial breastfeeding up to complete transition to the family diet. The composition of breastmilk and hormonal control of lactation are optimally adapted to the infant; however, breastfeeding is not an instinct but a socially acquired behavior that requires accompanying information and counselling from the start. Medical personnel are considered to be competent in questions concerning breastfeeding and nutrition. They should have sufficient scientifically based knowledge about the physiological processes in breastfeeding as well as short and long-term effects on the health of mother and child. The risks of formula feeding (industrial infant nutrition on the basis of cowʼs milk) for the development and various diseases should also be known.