Significance of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a central practice across various disciplines, primarily defined as feeding an infant breast milk. Ayurveda views it as the best method for infant feeding, while science notes its influence on menstrual patterns. Psychiatry explores it in relation to harm-reduction and schizophrenia. Health sciences highlight it as crucial for infant nutrition, growth, and development, also noting its role in postpartum care and child spacing. It is essential for infant health, and can be a risk factor for transmitting diseases like HIV, but is often the safest and most nutritious method for babies.
Synonyms: Nursing, Lactation, Suckling, Breast milk feeding, Natural feeding
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Breastfeeding'
In Hinduism, breastfeeding is vital for newborns, providing essential nutrients for growth. Breast milk is the ideal infant food, promoting immunity, especially against infections. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months is recommended, with a consideration for a Dhatri if needed.
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) This is needed from the beginning of a newborn's life because Stanya has all the required nutrients for a baby's growth and development.[1] (2) Breastfeeding is the process of feeding a baby with breast milk, considered the best method of infant feeding because human milk is uniquely suited to the human infant.[2]
From: International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
(1) The practice of exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of 6 months provides numerous advantages for both the infant and the mother, foremost among these is the enhancement of immunity against gastrointestinal infections, with the consideration of Dhatri if the mother is unable to produce sufficient milk.[3]
The concept of Breastfeeding in scientific sources
Breastfeeding is the act of feeding infants breast milk, vital for their health and development. It's recommended for two years, offers immunity, and aids maternal adaptation. Breastfeeding can transmit diseases, influence medication effects, and has cultural considerations. It is considered a key factor for infant health.
From: South African Family Practice
(1) This practice involves feeding an infant directly from the mother's breast, which is considered the best source of nutrition, recommended by the World Health Organization for the first six months.[4] (2) This has been found to convey a reduced risk of the development of atopic diseases in infants, but not as significantly if the child was genetically predisposed to developing atopic conditions, as mentioned in the text.[5] (3) The mother in the OSCE scenario was doing this, but her milk dried up 3 months ago.[6] (4) The practice of feeding a baby with breast milk, and the study showed it was a contraceptive method among older adults, although less common.[7] (5) This is a method of infant feeding in which the mother provides milk to her child. The patient is currently breastfeeding, and her concerns about the impact of contraception on milk supply are a key factor in the consultation.[8]
From: South African Journal of HIV Medicine
(1) The practice of feeding an infant breast milk, which can transmit HIV if the mother has the virus.[9] (2) This is the act of feeding a baby with milk from the mother's breasts, and it was commenced after birth in this instance.[10] (3) Breastfeeding, particularly when done exclusively in the initial months of a baby's life, is the most important aspect of good nutrition, health, and survival for infants, with numerous health advantages.[11] (4) This is the practice of feeding a baby with milk from the mother's breast, which is important for infant health and can be affected by HIV.[12] (5) The act of feeding an infant breastmilk, a practice that is encouraged due to its many benefits, but can also pose a risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission if the mother is not virally suppressed.[13]
From: African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine
(1) The act of feeding an infant with milk directly from the mother's breast, which poses a risk of HIV transmission.[14] (2) This practice is considered protective against malnutrition, and the study found that most children were exclusively breastfed during their first three months, highlighting its importance.[15] (3) The practice of breastfeeding is a key element of the research, with community volunteers offering guidance and support to mothers. The research looks at how the context of HIV impacts breastfeeding decisions and practices.[16] (4) Breastfeeding is a key recommendation by community health workers, who emphasize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years for child nutrition.[17] (5) This is a method of feeding the baby which was analyzed for its association with neonatal jaundice.[18]
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) The practice of feeding a baby with milk from the breast, and has effects on postpartum weight loss among women.[19] (2) It is a process that can play an important role in helping a woman to adapt to becoming a mother, which has many reasons for women who choose to breastfeed their children.[20] (3) The act of feeding an infant with milk from the mother's breasts, considered the safest and most nutritious method for babies, especially during challenging situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.[21] (4) This process is defined as the most effective method for providing complete nutrients to infants, supporting their healthy growth and development, and the study examines various aspects of it.[22] (5) The act of feeding an infant with milk from the mother's breast, which may provide protection against severe rotavirus infections.[23]
From: Journal of Public Health in Africa
(1) This is a period during which HIV transmission from mother to child can occur, and knowledge about this was assessed in the study.[24] (2) This is the act of feeding a baby breast milk, and the study examined how many babies were breastfed.[25]
From: International Journal of Pharmacology
(1) A condition that excluded potential participants from the study.[26]
From: South African Journal of Physiotherapy
(1) This is the English translation for the name of a booklet available from the Department of Health as part of the National Health Programme.[27]
From: South African Journal of Psychiatry
(1) The practice of feeding an infant with milk directly from the mother's breast, which several studies have indicated may be a protective factor that delays or prevents the onset of schizophrenia.[28] (2) This is a topic in the addictions field, and the text focuses on harm-reduction strategies for women while they are breastfeeding.[29]
From: International Journal of Pharmacology
(1) Breastfeeding is the act of nourishing an infant with milk from the breast, and it was found to influence menstrual patterns after DMPA injection, with non-breastfeeding women less likely to experience amenorrhea.[30]