Breastfeeding is the feeding breast milk. WHO and UNICEF also notes that "is a unique way of providing ideal food for proper growth and development of children" and recommended as essential to exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the newborn, also recommend to continue breastfeeding after six months, while the baby is going to offer other complementary foods to a minimum of two years.

Breastfeeding is not just instinct, also learned behavior by imitation. In 1991, WHO coined precise definitions of the types of infant feeding.

Exclusive breastfeeding: Breastfeeding, including breast milk or nurse. Allows the infant receives only drops or syrups (vitamins, medicines or minerals).

Predominant breastfeeding: Breastfeeding, including breast milk or nurse as the main source of food, allowing the infant receives fluids (water, sweetenedteas and juices), ritual drinks, drops or syrups (vitamins, medicines or minerals).

Full breastfeeding: Includes exclusive breastfeeding and predominant breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding: Feeding breast milk.

Nursing bottle: Any liquid or semisolid food made ​​with a bottle.

Breastfeeding Multiples: Breastfeeding mother's milk for two or more childrenthe same age.

Delayed Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding and breast milk.

• Breastfeeding straightforward: When taking the baby feeds directly from the breast milk.
• Tandem Breastfeeding: Breast milk for the mother to two or more children of different ages.
• Induced Lactation: Breastfeeding and breast milk than their own without anyprevious pregnancy mediated the mother.
• Mixed feeding: How popular to refer to the supplementary feeding (breast milk +non-human milk).
• Solidarity Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding and breast milk differently.

The maternal smoking is associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding.
The benefits to the health of the mother or baby, as well as benefits in the family, economic or social, is a good argument for the promotion of breastfeeding.
There are true and false contraindications or myths:
True Contraindications

• SIDA is considered a contraindication true.
• HERPES SIMPLE: in infants less than 15 days can cause a potentially fatal infection. During the first month the presence of herpes simplex lesions in thebreast nipple of the contra side to cure. People with cold sores should not kissthese babies. After months of breastfeeding a baby's life can continue.
• GALACTOSEMIA: severe congenital deficiency of the enzyme galactose-l-phosphate uridyl transferase in the liver.

False contraindications

• Hair loss: It is common hair loss after childbirth has occasionally beenassociated with breastfeeding is a normal phenomenon called telogen effluvium and mild, resolved spontaneously between 6 and 12 monthspostpartum.
• X-rays: X-rays do not remain in the irradiated object is not transmitted throughbreast milk or alter their properties.
• Dental Fillings: The mercury amalgam fillings used is not toxic. The localanesthetic used in dental procedures does not pass into milk.
• Caries in the mother: There's a myth that breastfeeding causes tooth decay inthe mother by decalcification of teeth. The enamel has no blood supply so it can not decalcified by the metabolic changes that affect the rest of the skeleton.
• Exercise: Exercise during lactation may improve the welfare and fitness of the mother, without affecting the quantity and composition of milk.
• UVA: The risk is only for the person who is exposed to them, do not affectlactation, milk or baby.
• New pregnancy has not been reported any complication of pregnancy causedby breastfeeding.

The use of drugs during lactation is controversial in both mothers andprofessionals, most drugs pass into breast milk, the real problem is the difficulty of finding reliable information, to determine quickly the drugs compatible andwhich are not. WHO and UNICEF have also published a guide to the drugsmentioned free internet access.
The abandonment of breastfeeding, as a common form of infant feeding is amajor problem with the personal, social and health. Promoting breastfeeding isimportant because it is the best possible link between mother and son, as well as the safety of this against the world begins to live.