Tips for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers
Simple care tips for mothers and their babies
The Importance of Breast Milk
Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients necessary for the proper growth and health of the baby. These nutrients are easily digestible and fully absorbed by the infant. Breast milk also contains sufficient water, so for the first six months, the baby receives both complete nutrition and hydration from breast milk alone.
Only breast milk contains protective factors that help shield the child from various illnesses, including respiratory infections, diarrhea, and other infections, which is why it is often referred to as “living milk.” It strengthens the child’s immune system and reduces the risk of allergic diseases, future diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
Breastfeeding positively affects cognitive development, sharpens vision, supports physical and mental development, contributes to healthy teeth formation, and improves speech development. Breast milk is clean, always at the right temperature, requires no preparation, and does not need to be purchased. No food can replace breast milk.
Breastfeeding also benefits the mother. It fosters a strong emotional bond between mother and child that can last a lifetime. It helps prevent rapid repeat pregnancies, combats anemia, and reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers with prolonged breastfeeding.
Colostrum (First Milk)
In the first 3 days after birth, the mother produces colostrum, a small amount of highly nutritious milk that fully meets the newborn’s nutritional and hydration needs. It is rich in immunoglobulins, which protect the baby from infections and help establish beneficial gut flora (like bifidobacteria), strengthening the baby’s health. Colostrum is irreplaceable.
For premature and low-birth-weight babies, the mother's breast milk has a unique composition that matches their specific needs — it contains more nutrients and a higher level of protective antibodies.
From birth, every baby should be fed exclusively with its own mother’s colostrum.
Breastfeeding Tips
- Start breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes after birth, and continue frequently on demand, including during the night. If the baby sleeps too long, wake and feed every 3 hours. The more often the baby nurses, the more milk is produced.
- For the first 6 months, feed the baby only breast milk — even water is unnecessary.
- After 6 months, start introducing complementary foods along with continued breastfeeding.
- Continue breastfeeding up to 3 years or beyond.
Risks of Bottle Feeding and Using Rubber Pacifiers
- Babies fed with bottles are more prone to illness, including diarrhea, respiratory infections, and other repeated illnesses. The formula lacks immune-protective antibodies, has fewer nutrients, and is harder to digest, increasing the risk of allergies. It weakens the emotional bond between mother and baby. Later in life, such children may face obesity, diabetes, and chronic illnesses.
- Babies who are bottle-fed or use pacifiers may refuse the breast. Pacifiers can harbor bacteria, contain harmful chemicals, distort dental development, and delay speech.
