New Research on Breastfeeding and Breast Milk

This compilation opens by exploring how the physical and psychological elements of breastfeeding are intrinsically linked to a child's development and the mother's wellbeing, both in the short and long terms. Babies who are exclusively breastfed see advantages in cognitive and language development, as well as protection against disease. The authors assess the main nutritive factors of breast milk, the use of fortifier as breast milk supplement, the significance of microelements in preterm nutrition, and health outcomes related to breast milk for preterm infants. The current knowledge on substance exposure through breastfeeding is also addressed, specifically how it may influence weight gain and growth during infancy and childhood, and whether the timing of that exposure may alter those outcomes. Recommendations and common feeding practices are closely linked with political and socio-economic conditions of different time periods and are embedded in culture-specific strategies for food, nutrition security and health care. As such, a review of the events and developments in the area of infant and young child nutrition, programming and human rights issues from prehistory until the end of the 19th century is provided. The penultimate study is aimed to provide an updated synthesis of the current evidence for the effectiveness of breastfeeding and breast milk feeding in the reduction of procedural pain in preterm and full-term born infants. Non-communicable diseases are usually caused by interaction of genetic factors, gender, age, ethnicity, environmental exposures, and lifestyle behaviors. Primary should start with an emphasis on improving breastfeeding practices. Consequently, the closing chapter aims to summarize the current literature on the long-term effects of breastfeeding on the prevention of non-communicable diseases.