[Breast feeding as a component of reproductive health].

Extensive research, especially in the recent years documents the divers advantages of breastfeeding not only for infants but also for breastfeeding women and their reproductive health. The paper presents the results of epidemiological studies concerning protective effects of breastfeeding against large number of acute and chronic diseases of childhood and possible health benefits for mothers like fertility regulation, stimulation of parenting abilities and protection against breast and ovarian cancer, bone loss, nutritional depletion. The recommendations of hospital postpartum care supportive to physiological initiation of breastfeeding, based on the experience of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative implementation in Poland is also presented.