Introduction. Breastfeeding is the most important way to feed a newborn, infant and a young child. Lactogenesis is the ability of secreting milk from the mammary gland and includes secretory initiation and activation. The birth of the placenta and decrease in progesterone levels stimulate an increase in prolactin levels and the secretion of milk from the breast. Human milk contains carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and trace elements. In addition, numerous cells, macrophages, bacteria, chemokines, cytokines, immunoglobulins, hormones, growth factors, and mucin are present. The composition of milk differs depending on the phase of secretion. Colostrum is secreted for the first five days after birth, then comes transitional milk, and mature milk two weeks after birth. During the very act of breastfeeding, there is a difference between pre-milk and last milk. In pre-milk, the fat content is low and increases with the duration of lactation, and in breast milk it is relatively high. Aim: To point out the importance of milk composition and factors that are influential for breastfeeding. Conclusion: Maternal parity, age or socioeconomic status and education can affect the concentration of certain components of breast milk. Adequate social policy and support, along with education related to early breastfeeding experiences, can be the key factors in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. Besides the mother and the child, the entire social community would benefit from that.

The task of public health is to encourage the mother to initiate and maintain breastfeeding of her child. The main proponents of early breastfeeding should be pediatricians and gynecologists in maternity hospitals. Early "skin-to-skin" contact means that after birth, in the first ten minutes, the newborn is placed in close contact with the mother. After it is born and cries, it is transferred to the bare chest of the mother, who is comfortably placed in bed with her head elevated. The child is placed in a longitudinal position in relation to her, between and above her breasts. The child's head is turned to the side with mandatory monitoring of breathing, and both are covered with a clean, dry sheet. The basis of the mechanism is hormonal. With this kind of mutual contact, oxytocin is released in the mother, and catecholamine concentrations increase in the newborn. The first two hours after birth, the newborn is awake, active, sensitive to touch, smell and temperature simulations that he receives from the mother, which is why this period is the best for starting breastfeeding. The advantages of this method for the mother are: easier and faster stopping of bleeding after childbirth, earlier expulsion of the placenta, greater calmness and relaxation, as well as greater self-efficacy in breastfeeding. The advantages for the newborn are: reduction of postpartum stress and anxiety, less crying, better control of reaching optimal body temperature, importance in establishing microcolonization of the intestinal flora and more effective breastfeeding with earlier discharge from the hospital to home. The application of this method is simple and economically profitable, and short-term and long-term effects are achieved for both the mother and the child.