Proper breastfeeding practices reduce maternal disease risks, expert says
Breastfeeding within the first hours of birth provides critical, long-term health benefits for both mothers and newborns by significantly reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Speaking on the Zi de Bine program on the national broadcaster Moldova 1, lactation expert Cristina Bumacov emphasized the deep biological and emotional connection established at birth.
"Breastfeeding is the first covenant between mother and child when it is born," Bumacov stated. According to the expert, the mother transfers vital antibodies to the newborn through breast milk, which acts as the "first vaccine" to protect the infant from potential illnesses.
Clinical data shows that extended breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and type 2 diabetes for both the mother and the child.
Medical experts emphasize that breastfeeding should not be painful. While mild discomfort may occur initially as a new sensation, persistent pain typically signals improper latching or an infant tongue-tie that requires clinical evaluation.
To ensure optimal growth and stimulate sufficient milk production, healthcare guidelines recommend feeding the infant 8 to 12 times within a 24-hour period. Infrequent feeding can lead to severe mammary inflammation.
"The 'milk fury' [breast engorgement] can occur and can be very critical if the child is not attached very often to the breast," Bumacov added. "It appears when lactation is more intense and the breasts swell, becoming quite hard and painful."
Proper physical alignment is crucial for efficient milk transfer. The infant's body must be positioned closely against the mother, ensuring the chin and cheeks touch the breast securely.
"The mother must see that the baby swallows and hear these swallows, which means that the milk transfer is happening," Bumacov explained. "The child's body must be in a line and very tightly pressed against the mother's body. We look to see that the child's ear, shoulder, and hip are in a line. So, the child must not have their head turned to one side. It is important to be placed in one direction parallel to the mother's body."
In addition to correct positioning, nursing mothers require a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and increased fluid intake to sustain healthy lactation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Dietary completion should follow, with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
