Breastfeeding, which is the act of feeding the baby with breast milk, coming directly from the breast, must be exclusive during the first 6 months of the baby's life.
During this period it is normal that the menstruation of the mother who breastfeeds exclusively on demand does not come, despite bleeding, which is not menstruation, and which can last for about 50 days after delivery. Learn more at: Menstruation after pregnancy.
During the breastfeeding phase, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to ensure milk production, but some teas should be avoided so as not to cause discomfort or cramps in the baby. To learn more about this subject click on: Teas that you cannot take while breastfeeding.
Main benefits for mother and baby
Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for both mother and baby. Some of the benefits of breastfeeding are:
| Benefits for the mother | Benefits for the baby |
| Fights postpartum hemorrhage and accelerates the woman's recovery | Prevents diseases and decreases the baby's mortality rate |
| Facilitates weight loss | Decreases baby's chances of having allergies |
| Decreases the risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer | Decreases colic in the first months |
| Calms the baby | |
| Decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the mother | The milk is at the correct temperature so there is no danger of burning the baby |
| It is not necessary to sterilize any utensils, so it can happen anywhere | Decreases baby's risk of mental illness |
In addition to these benefits, breast milk is free and is the best food for the baby, as it contains all the nutrients he needs to grow.
During this phase breastfeeding can function as a contraceptive method, because as menstruation does not come, the woman has no fertile period. However, this only happens when the mother breastfeeds several times a day and in large quantities, feeding the baby exclusively with breast milk until the baby is 6 months old. Learn more at Getting pregnant while breastfeeding.
