ABSTRACT
Infants who are exclusively breastfed need no additional food or water. Unrestricted breastfeeding is an intimate experience involving extensive skin to-skin contact during which each participant sees, touches, smells, hears, and senses the movements of the other. Night feedings are important to the maintenance of milk supply, and nursing with both breasts for most feedings, although not absolutely necessary, helps ensure milk production in both breasts and can help prevent breast infections. The success and duration of breastfeeding are negatively affected by mother-infant separation, delayed first feedings, scheduled feedings, and interruptions in breastfeeding with formula and other foods. Substantial documentation exists of the biological value of breastfeeding for infants. Even less attention is given to physiological benefits of breastfeeding for women. The majority of women and babies have the physiological capacity for breastfeeding. However, many different customs have been associated with it.
