Panorama histórico do aleitamento materno e seus benefícios à saúde do bebê

Abstract

The practice of breastfeeding was an individual struggle and, soon after, other sectors of society and the government itself began to mobilize to promote breastfeeding women, using a collective struggle. Breastfeeding is recognized in the scientific literature as the main beneficiary for children's psychological, nutritional and neurological development, thereby strengthening their immune system and contributing to their health as a whole. Its benefits also have an impact on the infant's oral health, especially in the development of the stomatognathic system, facial muscles, prevention of malocclusions and protection against dental caries. Thus, studying breastfeeding means recognizing it as a practice that is not only biological, but also social, considering the historical histories used by its students as health practices, as its benefits for child health and, consequently, the evaluation of the role each health professional in this context, no case, especially dental surgeons and / or pediatric dentists. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to describe the main historical background inherent to breastfeeding and its benefits to the baby's health. This is a literature review based on published scientific articles on breastfeeding, in particular its historical aspects and benefits for the baby's health. SCIELO, Google Scholar, LILACS and PUBMED were used as search databases, with the keywords breastfeeding, history of breastfeeding, benefits of breast milk and oral health. Several social events need to happen so that knowledge about breastfeeding can be built throughout history, after the organization of different programs organized in favor of greater adhesion of women, based on breastfeeding projects. Thus, it is essential that health professionals, including dental surgery, recognize this collective achievement, understand the importance of breastfeeding and the orientation as families about the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother-child binomial and understand the importance of stimulation to the act of breastfeeding, recognizing or as something that, many times, can be / cannot be caused by difficulties in mothers and, therefore, requires to be welcomed and assisted by professionals.