Breastfeeding is one of the most important ways to ensure the health and development of a child. Breast milk acts as the “first vaccine” because it is safe, pure and contains antibodies that help protect against many childhood diseases. The newborn should be breastfed as often as possible in the first days. Early onset of milk production will stimulate breast milk production and enhance lactogenesis. In the first hour of life, breastfeeding reduces the high infant mortality rate with additional protective effects provided by the first milk, colostrum. Children that breastfeed have better results on intelligence tests and are less prone to developing overweight and diabetes in later life, while breastfeeding women have a reduced risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The frequency of breastfeeding is still low and it is necessary to make an effort to prolong the time the baby spends breastfeeding.