How Breastfeeding Benefits Both Mom and Baby

Child specialists and pediatricians have universally accepted the fact that there is no better alternative than the breast milk for the newborn babies or the infants. This is because breastfeeding has manifold advantages over any other option of feeding milk to the babies as no other milk type can replace the nutrients and other benefits that the babies can achieve from breast milk. Apart from getting the basic nutrients needed for the initial body build-up of the babies, breast milk helps in the developing the immunity required to fight back diseases in the babies.

BREASTFEEDING IS NOT ONLY USEFUL FOR THE BABIES BUT IS ALSO BENEFICIAL FOR THE MOTHERS

However, quite shockingly, nowadays the modern mothers hardly care to go for breastfeeding, therefore, keeping the breastfeeding rate to as low as 30%. They prefer to avoid breastfeeding or keep away from breastfeeding stating some reason or the other. This is extremely alarming as breastfeeding is not only useful for the babies but is also beneficial for the mothers as well in various ways. In some cases, mothers are not able to breastfeed due to various reasons, wherein they can consult a doctor but it must be mandatory for the mothers to practice breastfeeding. Here are some benefits of breastfeeding given in detail in order to help the mothers to get an idea about the same and proceed for the same as well.

NUTRITION NOURISHMENT

The first breast milk is known as colostrum that is a thick and yellowish fluid loaded with nutrients in just the correct composition for the babies. This is an essential food that the babies must get in the first six months after birth. In fact, this should be the only food for them during this period and no other food should replace the same. The composition of colostrum changes according to the changing demands of the babies and is also secreted as per the growing digestive tract and stomach size of the babies. The breast milk is rich in proteins and other beneficial compounds although it is lacking in Vitamin D and sugar. Vitamin D again depends on the mother’s intake and deficiency can be compensated with Vitamin D drops if required.

ADEQUATE ANTIBODIES

Breast milk or colostrum to be specific is rich in antibodies such as immunoglobulin A (IgA) along with various other antibodies that help in combating the viruses and other pathogens that can invade the babies’ body and cause different kinds of diseases. As the mother is facing these pathogens, her body is developing the required antibodies to fight them back. These are then getting transferred to the bodies of the babies and creating a layer of protection in them beforehand in order to keep away from the minor infections. That is why, studies have shown that babies who are not breastfed are more prone to be infected with pneumonia, influenza, and other infections. However, at the same time, it is important to maintain appropriate health and hygiene in order to avoid such diseases as well.

RISK REDUCTION

Owing to the several health benefits of breast milk, the infants can easily be free from getting affected with some major diseases, some of which are mentioned hereunder:

1.    Intensive breastfeeding for three or more months can bring down the chances of middle ear infections by 50% whereas normal kind of breastfeeding can do the same by 23%.

2.    Respiratory disorders are very common in babies and can be reduced down to almost 72% if babies are breastfed for four months at least.

3.    The most common infections are cold and cough and exclusive breastfeeding for six months can reduce the same by 63%.

4.    If breastfeeding is done properly, the babies get immune to gut infections as well which are likely to attack after two months of stoppage of breastfeeding. Studies have shown a reduction by 63% in such infections in case of pure breastfeeding.

5.    Babies are prevented from getting intestinal infections such as necrotizing enterocolitis by almost 60% if breastfeeding continues well for first six months.

6.    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is another disease that can be brought down by 50% in the first month and by 36% in the first year.

7.    Exclusive breastfeeding for the first three to four months can reduce the cases of allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and eczema by almost 27-42%.

8.    Apart from the above, the various other diseases such as childhood leukemia, inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes and celiac diseases can also be controlled with proper breastfeeding for the first few months after the birth of a baby.

BABY BUILD-UP

Breastfeeding babies can assist in giving the adequate weight as per the various growing stages in the babies. In fact, it helps in the growth of gut bacteria that helps in fat storage in the babies along with leptin, a major hormone that plays a pivotal role in appetite and fat storage of the babies. Breast milk takes care of metabolism issues in the babies as well and oversees the fact that they babies are not getting obese. Breastfeeding means a physical intimacy of the baby with the mother and this is very important for the growth of a perfect bond between the two. In fact, this helps in developing intelligence in the babies as well owing to the sufficient brain development of the babies that happens due to correct breastfeeding for the first few months.

WONDERS IN WOMEN

Apart from benefits of breast milk in babies, even the women or the mothers are benefited from breastfeeding as well. Some of the various breastfeeding advantages that are helpful for women are:

1.    Breastfeeding helps the women to keep their weight in check and studies have shown that mothers who do not breastfeed have higher chances of gaining weight than losing the same.

2.    Breastfeeding helps in uterus contraction.

3.    Women can battle the baby woes, post-pregnancy depression, prenatal problems and other mental issues after baby birth by breastfeeding.

4.    Along with the babies, breastfeeding helps the women to avert various diseases as well. It also takes care of maintenance of proper menstrual cycles after pregnancy.

In addition to the baby and mother factors discussed above, breastfeeding can save time, energy and money as there is no need to be bothered about formula milk when there are so many advantages in the mother’s hands only. Hence, it is always advisable to breastfeed the babies in order to extract the maximum amount of benefits for their babies as well for them as well. From now onwards, better than looking for formula milk, go for breastfeeding!

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