Breastfeeding not only offers a wide spectrum of benefits to the mothers but also to their babies. Doctors and well wishers always stress on the importance of breastfeeding, but majority of times women just don’t realize the kind of benefits they enjoy when they feed their bundle of joy. The list of advantages may be surprising for expectant mothers.
Benefits of breastfeeding
- Breast milk is full of necessary proteins, enzymes and antibodies of mother. It is very different from infant formula that is available in the market these days. As compared to mother’s milk, a baby cannot be protected from a slew of infections or diseases through infant formula. As the child develops and grows, the consistency of mother’s milk also changes so that growing needs of a child can be met. In fact, milk consistency also changes even during the feed. The formulation of breast milk is completely according to a child’s need.
- The first milk which is slightly yellow in color is known as colostrum. It is believed that this is concentrated breast milk and is highly beneficial for a new born baby. Immune active cells are contained in colostrums that counteract and kill harmful germs and bacteria which can prove to be harmful for a baby. IgA is the antibody available in this milk which offers a lot of advantages. This antibody develops in a child’s body only when he grows older. This concentrated milk also forms a protective lining inside the child’s intestine with intestinal flora. It helps in easy digestion of breast milk. Bowl movement is also stimulated with colustrum intake among babies. Mecomium which is the first stool of a baby also gets cleared from the bowel because of the first milk.
- Mothers also gain a lot of advantages from breastfeeding. She is able to burn at least 500 calories in a day. Also, when a baby feeds her milk, contractions are experienced by her that helps her uterus to come back in its former position. Bleeding also reduces considerably. The weight that has been gained during pregnancy can also be shed at a quicker pace when breastfeeding.
- Babies who are breastfed never becomes obese in their later life. More will be the benefits from breastfeeding if more is the period babies feed on their mother’s milk. The chances of getting obese also reduce with increasing period of breastfeeding.
- It has also been seen that children who are breast fed do not suffer from problems like ear infections in comparison to those who are fed from a bottle. Breast and nipple of a mother is perfectly designed for their young ones to suckle. The baby needs to latch on the nipple properly so as to avoid leakage.
- The problems of tooth decay also reduces considerably among breastfed babies.
The above advantages clearly indicate how a mother as well as her baby can derive a lot of benefits from breastfeeding.
