Pros and cons of breastfeeding a newborn on demand

Dr. Dennis Bani, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, reveals the pros and cons of breastfeeding a newborn on demand.

Breastfeeding great benefits for the mother and her child

He said in an interview with the newspaper "Izvestia": "In the twentieth century, pediatricians recommended breastfeeding children strictly at a specific time, while maintaining certain time intervals between feedings. This was because there was no long maternity leave, as young mothers returned to "Labour soon after birth, so the babies were transferred to formula feeding and breast milk. But hourly feeding neither benefits the babies nor the mothers."

According to him, World Health Organization experts insist that children as young as two years old should be breastfed on demand. This is what most pediatricians in the world agree on.

He says: “The microelements and antibodies contained in breast milk provide complete nutrition and protect against infections. It is necessary, in the first months of life, to give the child the opportunity to breastfeed on demand. Because during breastfeeding, the child is satisfied, calms down, and feels the warmth and smell of the mother. In addition, "Over time, most young mothers' mammary glands begin to produce as much milk as possible for the baby, so milk overproduction, accumulation in the breast, and mastitis are less likely."

According to the doctor, the main negative of breastfeeding the child on demand is that the mother’s life during several months is restricted to the child around the clock. But over time, the baby has his own feeding schedule, and the intervals between breastfeeding become longer.