After delivery of the baby, changes in hormonal patterns of the mother change rapidly. This triggers the release of hormones that cause the body to produce breast milk.
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for an infant.
Breast milk can provide all or nearly all the nutrition an infant needs during the first 6 to 12 months of life. Both the American Dietetic Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics support breast-feeding for the first 4 to 6 months of life. They also support breast-feeding supplemented by weaning foods for at least 12 months. During the first few days after birth, a woman's body produces a fluid called colostrum. Colostrum is high in protein, zinc and other minerals.