If you are yet to know the importance of exclusive breastfeeding or you want to find out more interesting facts about breastfeeding, this post is for you. Exclusive breastfeeding has many health benefits for both the mother and infant. The objective of this study was to determined knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Lactating Mothers in Laquintinie Regional Hospital Douala. Overview. Breastfeeding has many known health benefits for infants, children, and mothers and is a key strategy to improve public health. (HHS: Office on Women’s Health) The healing properties of breast milk can be used to soothe dry and cracked nipples. Why is exclusive breastfeeding so important? As long as you breast-feed, the cells, hormones and antibodies in your breast milk will continue to bolster your child's immune system. Breast-feeding provides the best nutrition for your baby and is the most widely recommended way to feed a newborn. Mature breastmilk in well-nourished mothers contains an average of 250 inter-national units (IU) of vitamin A per 100 ml. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness. It protects against diarrhoea and common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia. (HHS: Office on Women’s Health) It looks thicker and is a darker yellow than the mature milk. The more you nurse your baby, the more milk your body makes. The hormones released while breastfeeding help to shrink the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size. The first several weeks “set” your milk supply. The first milk produced when a woman conceives is called colostrum or ‘early’ milk and it lasts for about 2-4 days. Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age helps ensure sufficient vitamin A intake. The concentration of vitamin A in the breastmilk of women in developing countries averages about half this amount. (HHS: Office on Women’s Health) Exclusive breastfeeding can burn up to 600 calories a day. However, some factors might lead you to consider formula-feeding. Results revealed that, majority (43.64%) of the respondents were in the age group 21-30years, 51.36% were married and had average 1-2 kids. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. Exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months Continued breastfeeding after 6 months as complementary foods are introduced Continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant There are approximately 1,900 live births each year to Maui County residents.3 The following facts are from the 2009- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants are exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods for at least 1 year. Here, Jay L. Hoecker, M.D., an emeritus pediatrics specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, answers important questions about breast-feeding and formula-feeding. If you are a mother with enough milk and your baby is happily gaining weight then strictly go for exclusive breastfeeding. Breast milk contains all the nutrients an infant needs in the first six months of life. The first two years of a child’s life are particularly important, as optimal nutrition during this period will lead to reduced morbidity and mortality, due to reduced risk of chronic diseases and to overall better development. Exclusive breastfeeding (giving your baby breastmilk and nothing else) for the first few weeks is very important for building a good milk supply. Breast milk is the only source of nutrition for the babies up to six months of age. The benefits of breast-feeding beyond infancy for a mother include: Reduced risk of certain illnesses. I have seen many people start solids from four months of age.