الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Maternal breast feeding is the most natural and safe way to feed an infant. Breast feeding provides a unique combination of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and enzymes, as well as nutritional, immunological, psychological and economic benefits.
Exclusive breast feeding is defined as consumption of human milk with no supplementation of any type (no water, no juice, no foods, and no non-human milk) except for vitamins, mineral and medications.
Although breast milk meets most nutritional needs until 1 year of age, at some point in time, exclusive breastfeeding no longer meets a growing infant’s nutrient needs and complementary foods must be added. These additional foods are not intended to replace or interfere with breastfeeding.
The term weaning was used to indicate the transition between exclusive breastfeeding and the cessation of breastfeeding. Nowadays, the term ”full weaning” is used to indicate the total cessation of breast-feeding.
Complementary feeding is the provision of any nutrient containing foods or liquids other than breast milk and included both solid foods and infant formula.
In the United Kingdom the terms ”weaning” and ”complementary feeding” are sometimes used synonymously.
The needs for growth are relatively high due to the higher metabolic and nutrient turnover rate of infants and children compared with adults. Because the rapid rates of growth are accompanied by marked developmental changes in organ function and composition,