Breast milk is ideal food for neonates.Its best gift that a mother can give to her baby.It contains all the nutrients for normal growth and development of a baby from the time of birth to first 6months.
To ensure maximum benefits,the breast feeding must be exclusive .Exclusive means that only and only breast milk ,nothing else except vitamin drops or injections if indicated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding begin within the first hour of a baby's life and continue as often and as much as the baby wants.Health organizations, including the WHO, recommend breastfeeding exclusively for six months.
There are several areas of biological superiority of breast milk or breast feeding over formulae milk(artificial milk).
Why breastfeeding should not be skipped?
Breast feeding is beneficial to both mothers and babies.
Benefits to baby-
1.Composition
Breast milk is ideal food with easy digestion,
Carbohydrates-Mainly lactose ,which helps in absorption of calcium and promotes the growth of lactobacilli( good bacteria of intestine).These good bacteria are needed for synthesis of vitamin B.
Protiens-No doubt protien in human milk is less as compared to animal milk but protiens like lactalbumin and lactoglobulin are easily digested.Human milk also contains amino acid like taurine and cysteine which are necessary for neurotransmission in between brain cells ,hence required for brain development.
Fats-Breast milk is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid which are necessary for myelination of nervous system, again important for development of nervous system.
Minerals-Low osmotic load ,less burden on kidneys.
Water-Breast milk has water content of 88% and hence a breast fed baby does not require any additional water in the first few months of life even during summer months.
2.Protection against INFECTIONS
Breast feeding contains a number of protective factors including,
Immmunoglobulin IgA -which protects against infections.
Lysozyme ,Lactoferrin,Interferon-all are protective agents.
Lactoperoxidase-prevents growth of infective agents.
3.Reduces the risk of ALLERGY later in life.
4.Mental growth-Studies have shown that breast fed babies had a higherIQ than those babies who were given formulae milk.
Benefits to mother
1.As a natural contraceptive-If mother is exclusively breast feeding her baby and has not resumed menses, there is no need of any other contraception during initial 6 months after the delivery.
2.Reduces risk of cancer-Breast feeding is known to reduce the risk of Breast cancer and Ovarian cancer.
3.Bonding -your bonding with baby will increase due to love harmone oxytocin. Babies bond with their moms while breastfeeding. They look mom in the eyes right at birth. The bond formed at such an early age makes parenting easier.
4.Breast feeding is quite relaxing to mother’s mind.
5.Helps in Losing weight-Breast feeding is most effective way of shedding extra weight that mother has gained during pregnancy.
6.Cost effective-Breast feeding is time saving and free of cost. You save tons of money. Families spend 100 - 200 dollars on formula a month. About 1,200 - 2,400 dollars spent a year. Breast Milk is Free!!
Misconceptions
Some untrue things that may hold you back,
1.It will make your breasts sag.
Breastfeeding is not the cause of this, your pregnancy hormones can stretch the ligaments that support your breasts.
2.Formula milk is basically the same as breast milk.
Formula milk is usually made from cow’s milk. Cow’s milk can contain bacteria. That is why you have to heat it up with water and the risk may still be present. It won’t protect your baby from infections and diseases like breast milk does.
Disadvantages of artificial milk-
Studies have shown that starting formula milk early on has got lot of longterm side effects.
There is increased incidence of following:
- Chances of allergies, eczema and asthma
- Childhood cancers, including leukemia and lymphomas
- Risk of type I and II diabetes
- Instances of Crohn’s disease and colitis
- Rates of respiratory illness
- Cavities
- Likelihood of becoming obese later in childhood
Yours truly,
Dr Gursimran