**2. Meaning of breastfeeding for mothers and babies**

It is well established that breastfeeding pattern of newborn provides more benefits for both mothers and their babies. It is well documented that breastfeeding not only provides the optimal nutrition [9] but also has many health benefits for both children and their mothers [10]. Breastfeeding pattern is positively associated with maternal sensitivity and with bonding between mother and infant [11]. It helps to build up a safe and full-of-feeling relationship between the mother and her infant and offers numerous other positive advantages. Breastfeeding mothers suffer less from certain serious diseases: reduced risk of certain cancers, including ovarian and breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, delayed resumption of menses, and more rapid postpartum weight loss. So, breastfeeding mothers are likely to be more health conscious, and, therefore, to promote healthy habits, which are likely to prevent overweight and obesity later in childhood [12].

On the other hand, breastfeeding pattern provides the protection against childhood-related diseases. In this regard, breastfed infants showed higher resistance to infectious disease and stronger immune systems, leading to lower rates of chronic diseases as compared to formula-fed infants. The ideal composition of human milk provides nutritional, growth, and developmental advantages to the child [13]. By the way, lower risk of gastrointestinal infection, otitis media, asthma, allergies, respiratory tract infection, type 1 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome are observed in breastfed infants. Other benefits include evidence of protection against childhood obesity, which may persist into adulthood, and less cognitive development and behavioral problems in breastfed children compared with children not breastfed [14]. Based on the abovementioned, breastfeeding should be actively recommended and supported as the most preferred method of infant feeding at both nutritionally and healthy states.
