Breastfeeding is a fundamental pillar of maternal and child health, providing a series of benefits for both, mother and baby. During the first 1,000 days of a baby's life, it is key to their health, growth and physical, cognitive and emotional development of children.

Breast milk is the perfect food for babies, from optimal nutrition and protection against diseases to strengthening the emotional mother-child bond, breastfeeding is an invaluable investment in the present and future well-being of society. Exclusive breastfeeding is suggested during the first six months of life and its continuation together with complementary foods until 2 years or more.

Some of the most important benefits include:

• Optimal nutrition: Breast milk contains the ideal amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins necessary for the proper growth and development of the baby. It has the right temperature, is always available to the baby, and does not contain microbes.
• Protection from disease: Breast milk is packed with antibodies and immune cells that help protect the baby from infections and diseases, such as respiratory, gastrointestinal and allergic infections.
• Colostrum provides all the nourishment the child needs: frequent breast milk feedings in the first few days reduce engorgement and jaundice.
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases: it has been associated with a lower risk of developing chronic diseases in childhood and adulthood, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Promotes proper jaw growth and stimulates the baby's nasal breathing and orofacial muscle function.
• Lower infant mortality: it reduces the incidence of sudden infant death.
• The composition of breast milk changes according to the needs of the child. Even when the baby is already capable of receiving other foods, breast milk is its primary source of nutrition during the first 12 months. It becomes a supplement to food in the second year of life. The child's immune system takes between two and six years to mature. Breast milk continues to complement and support the immune system as long as it is taken.
• Strengthening the mother-child bond: promotes intimacy and attachment between mother and baby, creating a strong emotional bond that lasts throughout life.
• Decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in the mother.

Breastfeeding in Figures:

• UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) have announced that the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding has increased ten percentage points in a decade, reaching 48% worldwide, although it is still far from the 70% that both organizations have set as a goal for 2030.
• Progress is being made in different regions, numerous countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania have documented large increases in exclusive breastfeeding.
• According to survey data collected in 2016-23, 46% of newborns initiated breastfeeding within their first hour of life. While 71% of women continue to breastfeed their babies until at least two years of age.

Maternity Leave:

This paid legal benefit, which seeks adequate and safe rest for the mother, both in the prenatal state and during the breastfeeding period, has been implemented in almost all countries in the world, with European countries granting the most days to their employees:

1. Sweden grants 96 weeks of leave, with 80% of the salary.
2. The United Kingdom grants a full year of leave and 90% of the salary.
3. Norway grants 46 weeks of leave with 100% of the salary.
4. Hungary has 24 weeks of leave with 70% of the salary.
5. Spain has 16 weeks of leave and 100% of the salary.
6. Chile, Cuba and Venezuela are the countries with the most days for Maternity Leave in America, 18 weeks in total and 100% of the salary.
7. The United States is the only high-income country without federally mandated paid maternity leave, and leave policies vary between states and employers.

Sweden became the first country in the world to introduce a 180-day state-funded paternity leave in 1974 that was not gender-specific. The idea was that couples could share the leave as they saw fit, giving equal rights to fathers and mothers.

Today, paternity leave varies widely around the world, with some countries offering more generous policies than others.

The top ten countries that offer the best paternity leave to their employees are:

• Sweden
• Norway
• Iceland
• Finland
• Spain
• Portugal
• Japan
• France
• Belgium
• Germany

Breastfeeding on demand is not a fad, it is natural

In breastfeeding on demand, there are no fixed intervals between feedings. This means that the breast should be offered to the baby when he or she asks for it and for as long as he or she wants, until he or she lets go spontaneously.

Benefits of this breastfeeding methodology are:

• Improved Milk Production: Frequent sucking by the baby stimulates milk production, helping to maintain an adequate supply. Milk production is regulated according to the baby's demand, which means that the more the baby feeds, the more milk is produced.
• Feeding on demand ensures that the baby receives all the nutrients when he or she needs them.
• Babies fed on demand learn to regulate their food intake and develop a natural pattern of feeding and sleeping.

Breastfeeding is a complex and multifaceted experience influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. Personalizing support and understanding these factors can help improve breastfeeding rates and duration around the world.

Support from partners, family and physicians, as well as length of paid maternity leave and adequate spaces and times to breastfeed or express milk at work, facilitate prolonged breastfeeding and improve infant health worldwide.