Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, AOU Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Italy; Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.

Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, AOU Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Italy.

Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, AOU Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Italy.

Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, AOU Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Italy.

Department of Surgical Sciences, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Cagliari, Italy.

Recent findings of stem/progenitor cells in maternal milk and their ability to cross the intestinal barrier of lactating newborns and integrate into neonatal organs to promote optimal child development present a new challenge in perinatal medicine. These findings emphasize the need for all mothers to breastfeed their babies for a long time. According to recent research, breastfeeding protects the lactating newborn from multiple infectious agents that can cause severe and fatal early infancy diseases. The second benefit is that maternal stem cells accelerate the development of several organs, including the brain, protecting lactating infants from severe childhood and adult diseases. The success and diffusion of exclusive breastfeeding, especially in low-resource settings, depends on mothers' knowledge of the many benefits for their child, including recent discoveries on breastfeeding's powerful benefits. Every mother may need simple booklets to learn about the unique benefits of maternal breastfeeding, including the nutrients and multiple cell types that protect the newborn from infections and accelerate neonatal organ development. Social media should also be encouraged to spread news about breastfeeding and maternal stem cells' impact on lactating infants' health. Health belief model interventions may boost breastfeeding. In conclusion, the discovery of massive amounts of cells in maternal milk and the identification of stem/progenitors with previously unknown potential in newborn development after birth should be considered a new valuable tool for exclusive breastfeeding advocates. Data here suggests that every action to spread this message and educate mothers and families about breastfeeding's irreplaceable role is mandatory.

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