Breastmilk – A Nature’s gift to your body Exclusive breastfeeding means that babies are given only breast milk and nothing else – no other milk, food, drinks and not even water for first six months. Breast milk alone is adequate to meet the nutritional requirement of the child during the first six months. It keeps the baby well hydrated even under the extremely hot and dry summer conditions. It is important to ensure exclusive breastfeeding of all babies as it saves babies from diarrhoea and pneumonia. It also helps in reducing specially the ear infections and risk of asthma and allergies. Advantages of breastfeeding 1. Breast milk is the best natural food for the babies 2. Breast milk is always clean 3. Breast milk protects the baby from diseases 4. Breast milk makes the child more intelligent 5. Breast milk is available 24 hours a day and requires no special preparation 6. Breast milk makes the child more intelligent 7. Breast milk is available 24 hours a day and requires no special preparation 8. Breast milk is nature’s gift to the infant and does not need to be purchased 9. Breastfeeding makes a special relationship between mother and baby 10. Breastfeeding helps parents to space their children 11. Breastfeeding helps a mother to shed extra weight gained during pregnancy Early initiation of breastfeeding preferably within half an hour of birth provides ‘Colotsrum’ (mother’s first milk) to the baby. ‘Colostrum’ sticky yellow colored feed is highly nutritions and