Breastfeeding: benefits, a good latch and support for mothers

Translated from the original Brazilian Portuguese article with the help of artificial intelligence. Clinical review, when applicable, was done on the Portuguese version. Read the original in Portuguese

Breastfeeding is a way of feeding the baby, but it involves much more than nutrition. It is also a time of adjustment, learning, closeness and care, both for the person breastfeeding and for the baby.

Breastfeeding: benefits, a good latch and how the family can help

For some families, breastfeeding goes smoothly from the start. For others, difficulties may come up with the latch, pain, insecurity, milk supply or routine.

That's why information and support make a difference.

Brazil's Ministry of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age and continued breastfeeding, alongside appropriate and healthy complementary feeding, up to 2 years or beyond.

What does exclusive breastfeeding mean?

Exclusive breastfeeding means that, during the first six months, the baby receives breast milk with no other foods or drinks.

This means not routinely offering:

water;
teas;
juices;
other milks;
foods.

The recommendation applies even in hot weather: for healthy babies who are exclusively breastfed, breast milk also provides the water they need during this period.

Medicines, vitamins, minerals or rehydration solutions that may be prescribed by health professionals are specific situations and do not necessarily change this definition.

The World Health Organization also recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and, from then on, the introduction of appropriate complementary feeding while continuing breastfeeding up to two years or beyond.

And after 6 months?

From 6 months, the baby also starts to need other foods to complement their nutritional needs.

This doesn't mean it's time to stop breastfeeding.

The guidance is to start appropriate, healthy feeding and keep offering the breast.

The Ministry of Health recommends prioritizing fresh or minimally processed foods at this stage and continuing breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby?

Breast milk contains nutrients and protective components that are important for the child's development.

According to the Ministry of Health, breastfeeding is associated with benefits such as:

protection against infections and other illnesses;
support for healthy growth and development;
stronger immunity;
a role in brain development;
a lower risk of some diseases throughout life.

The Ministry also highlights protection against diarrhea and respiratory infections.

The WHO reinforces that breast milk provides the nutrients the baby needs during the first six months of life and is associated with fewer cases of some common childhood illnesses.

And for the person breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding also brings benefits for the mother's health.

According to the Ministry of Health's 2026 breastfeeding campaign, these include:

helping recovery after birth;
reducing postpartum bleeding;
helping with weight recovery;
reducing the risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer;
benefits related to cardiovascular and metabolic health.

This doesn't mean breastfeeding eliminates these risks. These are benefits observed at the population level, not individual guarantees.

What is colostrum?

In the first days after birth, the breasts produce a milk called colostrum.

It usually comes in smaller amounts and may look different from the milk that will be produced later.

That doesn't mean it is “weak”.

The Ministry of Health states that, in healthy newborns, the colostrum produced in the first days is enough to provide nutrition and hydration during this period.

So there's no need to give the baby water or tea just because there seems to be little milk.

Should breastfeeding hurt?

Persistent pain should not be considered a normal part of breastfeeding.

There may be some initial discomfort while mother and baby are learning, but pain, cracked nipples or sores need to be assessed.

Problems with positioning or the latch are among the possible causes.

The Ministry of Health recommends seeking help at a Basic Health Unit (UBS, a public primary care clinic), a Human Milk Bank or a health service if breastfeeding is causing injury.

How can you tell if the latch is right?

Good positioning helps the baby remove milk efficiently and reduces the risk of injuring the breast.

Some signs described by the Ministry of Health are:

baby held close to the body of the person breastfeeding;
head aligned and turned toward the breast;
mouth wide open before latching;
chin touching the breast;
lips turned outward;
nose clear;
baby taking in the nipple and part of the areola.

More areola may be visible above the baby's mouth than below it.

More important than seeking a “perfect” position is noticing whether the baby can feed well and whether the feed is not causing pain or injury.

Does the baby need to feed every three hours?

There isn't necessarily a rigid schedule.

In the first months, it's common for the baby to feed many times during the day and also during the night.

The WHO recommends breastfeeding on demand, that is, offering the breast according to the baby's cues and needs.

Over time, the family gets better at reading these cues.

It's also important to remember that not all crying means hunger.

The baby may be:

hot or cold;
in a dirty diaper;
tired;
uncomfortable;
wanting closeness and comfort.

Clicking sounds during feeds deserve attention

If the baby makes clicking sounds while feeding, this may be a sign that the latch is worth checking.

The Ministry of Health advises checking whether the baby is correctly positioned and latching onto the breast properly.

If there are frequent difficulties, pain or insecurity, seeking professional help can keep a small problem from turning into a frustrating experience for the family.

Can bottles and pacifiers interfere with breastfeeding?

The Ministry of Health does not recommend routine use of bottles and pacifiers during breastfeeding.

An official publication from August 2026 reinforces that the way a baby sucks on these devices is different from sucking at the breast and may interfere with the latch, the frequency of feeds and, consequently, milk production.

In addition, bottles require strict hygiene to prevent contamination.

Each family, however, may face specific situations. When there is a need to offer expressed milk or other feeding, it's worth talking to health professionals about the most suitable method for that baby.

Does going back to work mean having to stop breastfeeding?

Not necessarily.

Milk production responds to stimulation of the breast. This stimulation can come either from the baby's sucking or from expressing by hand or with a pump.

So even when mother and baby are apart for a few hours, it may be possible to keep breastfeeding.

The Ministry of Health recommends planning this transition in advance and learning how to express and store milk correctly.

Support from whoever will be looking after the baby is also essential.

The support network is part of breastfeeding

The responsibility for keeping breastfeeding going should not fall solely on the person breastfeeding.

The Ministry of Health's own 2026 campaign highlights the importance of the support network.

Sometimes the best way to support breastfeeding is simply to make sure the person breastfeeding doesn't have to handle everything else at the same time.

Where can you get help with breastfeeding?

Having difficulty breastfeeding does not mean failure.

Brazil has a large Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks, which does more than collect and distribute donated milk.

The milk banks also offer breastfeeding guidance and support.

In 2026, the Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks reported having 239 banks and 261 collection points across the country.

You can also seek guidance at:

Basic Health Units (UBS);
Human Milk Banks;
maternity hospitals;
hospitals with maternal and child care.

Pain, cracked nipples, difficulty with the latch or positioning, or insecurity are all good enough reasons to ask for help.

Donating milk can also help other babies

Donated human milk is especially important for premature newborns and low-birth-weight babies admitted to neonatal units.

The Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks collects, processes and distributes milk according to safety criteria.

Women who are producing more milk than their own children need and want to donate can contact a Human Milk Bank for guidance on screening, collection and storage.

It is not recommended to simply give milk directly to another baby without going through a milk bank's proper process.

Are there situations in which breastfeeding may not be recommended?

Yes, although they are relatively few.

Some maternal health conditions, or the use of certain substances or medicines, may require individual assessment.

In Brazil, for example, the Ministry of Health maintains the recommendation that women living with HIV should not breastfeed, because of the risk of transmission through breast milk. In these cases, there are specific protocols for follow-up and infant feeding.

Regular use of some illicit drugs may also require stopping breastfeeding.

That's why it is never recommended to decide to stop — or continue — breastfeeding in the face of a medical condition based only on information found online.

The professional caring for mother and baby should assess the situation.

Breastfeeding doesn't have to be perfect to be valuable

Every breastfeeding experience is different.

It may take a few days for mother and baby to learn together.

There may be questions, difficult nights, periods of higher demand and times when you'll need to seek support.

Information helps, but so does support.

The goal should not be to demand perfection from someone who has just been through a pregnancy and birth.

What matters most is that mother and baby have access to care, guidance and a network that allows for safe, informed decisions.

Key takeaways

Brazil's Ministry of Health and the WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months.
During this period, healthy exclusively breastfed babies don't need water, tea or juice.
From 6 months, appropriate and healthy complementary feeding begins.
Breastfeeding can continue up to 2 years or beyond.
Persistent pain, cracked nipples or difficulty with the latch deserve assessment.
There isn't necessarily a rigid feeding schedule: the recommendation is to follow the baby's cues.
Bottles and pacifiers can interfere with breastfeeding.
Going back to work doesn't necessarily mean stopping breastfeeding.
Human Milk Banks also offer guidance for breastfeeding difficulties.
Supporting the person breastfeeding is the responsibility of the whole support network.

Does a breastfed baby need water before 6 months?

For healthy babies who are exclusively breastfed, no. Brazil's Ministry of Health and the WHO advise that, in the first six months, breast milk should be the only food, with no need for water, even on hot days.

How long is breastfeeding recommended?

The recommendation is exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and continued breastfeeding, alongside complementary feeding, up to two years or beyond.

Is it normal to feel pain when breastfeeding?

Some tenderness or discomfort may occur at the beginning, but persistent pain and sores should not simply be put up with. It's worth having the latch checked and seeking professional guidance.

Does the baby need to feed at set times?

No. The guidance is to follow the baby's cues and offer the breast on demand, including during the night.

Can I keep breastfeeding after going back to work?

In many cases, yes. Expressing and properly storing milk can help keep breastfeeding going during periods of separation.

Where can I get help?

Basic Health Units (UBS), Human Milk Banks, maternity hospitals and hospitals with maternal and child care can offer guidance.

Main source

Brazil's Ministry of Health — Breastfeeding (“Amamentação”).

Institutional page on breastfeeding, benefits, breastfeeding technique, returning to work, Human Milk Banks and situations where it is restricted.

Additional sources

Brazil's Ministry of Health — 2026 Breastfeeding Campaign.

Official update on breastfeeding duration, benefits and the importance of the support network.

Brazil's Ministry of Health — Breastfeeding: some myths and facts (“Amamentação: conheça alguns mitos e verdades”). August 2026.

Used for updates on exclusive breastfeeding, water on hot days and the use of bottles and pacifiers.

Brazil's Ministry of Health — Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks.

Used for updates on the network's structure and the support available to families.

World Health Organization — Infant and young child feeding. Updated on August 4, 2026.

Used to confirm the international recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and continuation up to two years or beyond.

Important notice

This content is for educational purposes and does not replace consultations, assessment, diagnosis or individual guidance from health professionals. Breastfeeding difficulties, pain, weight gain problems, use of medicines or health conditions of the mother or baby should be assessed by the health care team.