Breastfeeding is important for a baby’s growth, immunity, and overall health. It gives all the nutrients a newborn needs in the first few months. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests how long moms should breastfeed, but do you know the recommended duration? If not, that’s okay! This article will help you understand the benefits of breastfeeding, what’s in breast milk, and how it supports both mom and baby.
What is exclusive breastfeeding and its importance?
Breast milk gives all the nutrients a baby needs and helps create a strong bond between mom and baby. Health experts say it is very important, and the World Health Organization’s recommendation, exclusive breastfeeding is the most important phase, which is the first six months.
Breastfeeding babies for this duration can contribute to their overall wellness and improve their immunity from day one. But how is this happening? Here is the reason, the components in breast milk can effectively improve overall health.
Components of breast milk
Breast milk contains,
- Carbohydrates like lactose, support a healthy bacterial balance in the newborn’s stomach. Simply, it enhances and maintains the gut bacteria of the baby.
- Lactoferrin and secretory IgA are the essential protein that protects the baby from harmful infections.
- Vitamins and fats in breast milk help for the development of a baby’s brain and nervous system. White blood cells in breast milk can effectively improve the immune system and help fight infections.
Other than these nutritional benefits of breastfeeding, you can expect these advantages for a newborn.
Breastfeeding benefits for a baby
Essential nutrients for babies
Hope you know that breast milk is the only edible newborn babies can drink. So, by drinking the milk on time mothers can provide all the essential nutrients to the baby’s body. In this case, feeding breast milk is very crucial to improving the immune system, gut bacteria, and others in the little ones.
Promotes healthy weight of a baby
Gaining a healthy weight has been crucial for everyone since childhood and breastfeeding plays a pivotal role in achieving it. Feeding breast milk promotes healthy weight gain as it has nutrition-rich substances, which regulate the appetite and let the baby eat only when they are hungry. Good gut bacteria are one of the most important reasons for the regulation of healthy weight and appetite control.
Antibodies enhance the child's growth
Breast milk is fully packed with antibodies that are essential to fighting bacteria and viruses. In particular, Colostrum, the first milk from the mother provides high amounts of immunoglobulin A IgA and other antibodies. IgA protects the babies from getting sick and forms a protective layer in the newborn’s throat, nose, and digestive tract for effective immunity.
It may reduce the risk of diseases
According to the research, breastfeeding lowers the risk of diseases and increases the smartness of the baby. Breastfeeding can potentially reduce the risk of certain diseases such as:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Preterm Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), and Respiratory infections like pneumonia, whopping cough, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Ear infections, asthma, and bacterial meningitis
- Childhood obesity and Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Infant mortality
- Eczema
- Cavities, leukemia, inflammatory bowel diseases, and celiac diseases
Breastfeeding benefits for mothers
Helps Uterus Contract
Breastfeeding successfully triggers the oxytocin hormone, which is responsible for managing the key aspects of the reproductive system such as labour, delivery, lactation, and behaviour. Oxytocin triggers can cause the uterus to contract to its normal size quickly and support better functioning.
Lower risk of depression
According to the sources, breastfeeding has a positive impact on maternal mental health. It shows breastfeeding can lower the risk of postpartum anxiety and depression. So, women can happily feed their young babies and effortlessly reduce anxiety and stress.
Reduces the risk of diseases
Proper breastfeeding provides enhanced benefits for mothers, one among, which is reducing the risk of severe diseases. It includes breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and obesity. Consult your doctor to know accurately whether breastfeeding reduces the risk of such diseases.
How long should I feed my baby?
One common question that arises in the mom’s mind is how long they need to continue breastfeeding. According to the WHO, the decision is up to mothers. Yeah, they can feed their little ones up to 2 years or more and it is completely their decision.
However, mothers shouldn’t miss the exclusive breastfeeding period, feeding the newborn from day one to 6 months is very crucial to enjoy the listed benefits.
Final thoughts
Feeding breast milk provides nutrients, builds immunity, supports brain growth, and creates a strong bond between mom and baby.
Feeding only breast milk for the first six months is highly recommended, and continuing after that can bring even more health benefits. If you have any doubts about breastfeeding, talking to a doctor can help you get the right guidance and support.
People Also Search
Not feeding breast milk is associated with several risks for the mothers and the newborn. Not breastfeeding can result in an increased incidence of infectious morbidity such as gastroenteritis and pneumonia, the risk of childhood obesity, and type 1 and 2 diabetes, and even can cause sudden infant death.
In mothers, not breastfeeding can result in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
The duration of exclusive breastfeeding is mandatory, which is 6 months. Feeding for at least 4 months is very important, so make sure to follow it properly to enhance your baby’s health as well as yours.
Yes, a mother can feed her toddler up to two or longer ages, which is recommended by the World Health Organization. Breastfeeding toddlers can boost the immune system, contributing to the overall wellness of the children.
The nutritional benefits of breast milk make it applicable in treating skin conditions, infections, diaper rashes, baby acne, cradle crap, and sore or cracked nipples.
No, there is no particular time to stop breastfeeding, mothers can gradually reduce the amount once after introducing solid foods to babies. So that toddlers will be even stronger and more dependent on solid foods than milk.
