This comprehensive and updated book focuses on breastfeeding and its long-term effects which affect health and development, providing a protective metabolic programming against chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and hypertension.All recent developments of programming effects of breastfeeding are covered in chapters that provide fundamental knowledge besides update and sophisticated information on the subject. Special focus on: Metabolic programming Neuro-developmental Programming InfectionsThis book will benefit neonatologists, pediatricians, GPs, obstetricians, endocrinologists and all health professionals interested in this quite new and developing topic. Residents and student will appreciate the contents coverage and clarity.

Section 1: Overview: Breastfeeding: Maternal Tie to Her Baby.-Breast Milk as a Biological System .- Benefits of Breastfeeding.- Lactation Physiology.- Regulation of Breast Milk Supply.- Breast Milk Oligosaccharides.- Maternal Nutrition and Breast Milk Composition .- Microbiota Composition of Breast Milk.- Communication through Emotions during Breastfeeding.- Section 2: Metabolic Programming : Evolution and Genomics of Milk.- Early Life Programming Molecules.- The Role of Breast Milk in Epigenetic Programming.- Breast Milk Metabolome and Potential Long Term Effects in Infant.- The Biological Dialogue between Infant and the Mother via Breast Milk mRNA.- Genetic Causes of Obesity .- Epigenetic Causes of Obesity.- Gestational Diabetes and Variations in Milk Composition .- Maternal PUFA Supplementation and Epigenetic Influences on Fat Tissue.- Breast Milk Proteases.- Breast Milk and Leptin Resistance.- Effects of metabolism on embriyonic stem cells.- Section 3: Breastfeedingand Neuro-developmental Programming: Neural maturation of breastfed infants.- Breastfeeding and motor development in preterm and term infants.- Breastfeeding intelligence and social-language development.- Breastfeeding and  neuroinflamation.- Section 4: Breastfeeding and Infections: The Role of Breastfeeding on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases.- Vaccination and Breastfeeding.- Breastfeeding and Maternal Bacterial Infections.- Breastfeeding and Maternal Viral Infections.- Breastfeeding and Maternal Fungal Infections.- Breastfeeding and Maternal Parasitic Infections.- Maternal Infections: Who Can and Who Can Not Breastfeed?.- Section 5: Breastfeeding: Special Conditions and Issues: Breastfeeding in Preterm Infants.- Medications during Lactation.- Tobacco Use in Breastfeeding Mother.- Alcohol and Drug Use in Breastfeeding Mother.- The Role of Breastfeeding on the Development and Prevention of Allergic Diseases.- Traditions in Breastfeeding:Ethnocultural Factors.- Breast Milk Banking: Why?.- The Smell of the Mother or the Breast Milk? Which is the Main Factor?.- Lactational Amenorhea as a Method of Contaception.- Effects of Music on Breastfeeding.- Supplements for Breastfeeding Mother.- Section 5: Miscellaneous: The Fetal Development of Taste And Smell For Better Breastfeeding In Neonatal Life.- The Role of Smell and Taste For Eating Behavior across the life span.- Olfactory influences on human feeding behaviours, from sense to satiety.- Food Advertising and Eating Behaviours during Pregnancy and Lactation.- Nutritional Advertising, Media and Breastfeeding.