Breastfeeding
is important for both the mother and the baby, and provides a range of benefits
that cannot be replicated by formula feeding. Here are some of the reasons why
breastfeeding is important:
- Nutritional
benefits for the baby: Breast milk is perfectly tailored to meet the
nutritional needs of a growing baby, with the right balance of proteins,
fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins. It also contains antibodies and other
immune-boosting substances that help to protect the baby against
infections and illnesses.
- Reduced risk of
health problems: Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of a range
of health problems for both the baby and the mother, including infections,
asthma, allergies, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
- Bonding and
emotional benefits: Breastfeeding can help to promote bonding between the
mother and the baby, and may have emotional benefits for both. The
skin-to-skin contact and physical closeness can help to promote feelings
of calm and security.
- Convenience and
cost savings: Breastfeeding is free and always available, making it a
convenient and cost-effective way to feed a baby.
- Environmental
benefits: Breastfeeding is environmentally friendly, as it produces no
waste or packaging.
- Health benefits
for the mother: Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of certain
health problems for the mother, including breast and ovarian cancer,
osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes.
Overall,
breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way to nourish a baby and provides a
range of benefits for both the mother and the baby. However, it's important to
note that every mother's experience with breastfeeding is different, and there
may be challenges and barriers to breastfeeding that require support and
guidance from healthcare professionals.
There has been many BREASTFEEDING CAMPAIGN to make all mothers especially Urban ares Mother to take care of their child and start breastfeeding for six months and don't delay the process.
Ms Radhakrishnan says, "Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Nothing else, not even water is necessary for the baby up to six months of age. The composition of breast milk will take care of all the requirements of the baby. A baby needs breast milk, not artificial milk to grow well."
Advantages of breast milk for a baby:
• More easily digested and absorbed.
• Contains more lactose than any other milk. Lactose is essential for energy and helps in calcium and magnesium absorption.
• Contains more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and essential fatty acids (EFA). EFA cannot be manufactured in the body.
• The protein in breast milk contains essential amino acids while artificial milk does not.
• Taurine which is plentiful in breast milk has been credited with favouring growth of the baby's brain.
• Contains vitamin D, correct amounts of calcium and phosphate.
• Contains antibodies (immunoglobulin) to fight against many infections.
• Has a substance called bifidus factor, which helps special bacteria to grow in the baby's intestine and prevent harmful bacteria.
• Has laxative properties so that the baby does not get constipated.
• Breast fed babies normally do not develop allergies.
• Less burden on the baby's kidneys as there is less urea from protein and less sodium to excrete
Moreover,risk of obesity at age five or six years could be reduced by 35 per cent if children were exclusively breast fed for three to five months.
The risk can be reduced further if children are breast fed for longer than five months.
Nature has packed the nutrients in breast milk in just the right quantities needed for the baby. 100 ml of breast milk contains: calories - 71, proteins - 1.2g, lactose - 7.Og, calcium - 33mg, vitamin A - 160 TU vitamin D - 1.4, vitamin B1 - 0.017mg, vitamin B2 - 0.04mg, vitamin B3 - 0.2m,g iron - 0.15mg. Colostrums', a yellowish fluid which is secreted for the first couple of days after the birth of the baby, is rich in vitamin A, copper, zinc and immunoglobulin, all of which are needed for the baby. "This is why breast feeds should be initiated within one hour after birth. Most mothers don't, either due to ignorance or pressure from their near and dear ones to avoid colostrums," according to Ms Radhakrishnan.
Advantages of breastfeeding for the mother:
• It has a contraceptive effect to some extent.
• It facilitates contraction of the uterus.
• It reduces hip girth and helps in return of original form.
• It helps to bond with the baby.
Below are given some important links for all you pregnancy related doubts:
- pregnancy-stages
- exercise-followed-during-pregnancy
- diet-exercise-during-pregnancy
- problems-during-pregnancy-and-their
- tips-for-mothersto-take-of-themselves
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