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Breast-feeding

Breast-feeding is feeding a baby breast milk directly from the breast or from a bottle after expressing the milk with a pump. Breast milk provides the best nutrition for a baby.

All major professional medical organizations that focus on children, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend breast-feeding for at least the first year of a baby's life. This recommendation includes feeding a baby only breast milk for the first 6 months. Other foods, such as cereal, are then gradually introduced while continuing to breast-feed.

Author Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Denele Ivins
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH
- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 10, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 10, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.