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Breastfeeding

A mother is breastfeeding an infant.

Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.

Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by WHO as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Q&A: Up to what age can a baby stay well nourished by just being breastfed?

MULTIMEDIA

10 facts on breastfeeding
10 facts on breastfeeding

RELATED TOPICS

Child health
Nutrition
The WHO Child Growth Standards

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Infant and young child feeding (child health and development)

Infant and young child feeding (nutrition for health and development)

PUBLICATIONS

Breastfeeding

Infant and young child feeding

STATISTICS

The WHO Global Data Bank on Infant and Young Child Feeding

Causes of under-five mortality


WHO PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS

Department of Nutrition for Health and Development

Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development

PARTNERS

Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health

BREASTFEEDING IN WHO REGIONS

Region of the Americas–PAHO

European Region

Western Pacific Region


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