THE IMPORTANCE OF LACTATION IN INFANTS

Breast milk is essential for optimal growth, physical and psychological development, and immunity of the baby. It is economical, practical, and clean. Moreover, whatever the mother’s socioeconomic status is, or wherever she lives, in Ethiopia or in Sweden, the milk contains sufficient amount of nutrients for the baby (1). It is associated with decreased risk for a large number of acute and chronic diseases including diarrhea, respiratory infections, necrotizing enterocolitis, allergic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc. (2). Therefore, every effort should be undertaken to maintain breast-feeding the infants exclusively in the first 6 months, and up to 24 months or beyond with the addition of complementary foods.