Medical and psychological aspects of breastfeeding

Promoting and supporting breastfeeding is a global priority and an important intervention for the survival of children. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life. This article propose a review of the most important medical and psychological aspects regarding psychological counseling and breastfeeding. We highlighted the results of studies that reflect the importance of breastfeeding and its effects on the baby and mother. This paper is a review based on information from the literature. The analysis was limited to articles and guides in English published between January 1, 2007 - June 1, 2021 on PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar using the following keywords: breastfeeding, mother-child relationship, psychological counseling, breastfeeding counseling, breastfeeding factors, exclusive breastfeeding. In this review we discuss the medical and psychological characteristics of breastfeeding, factors that determine exclusive breastfeeding and its effects, prenatal breastfeeding counseling and the role of psychological counseling in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. Psychological counseling and care practices influence the achievement and duration of breastfeeding.