A baby spends nine months in a mother’s womb making him/her most close to the mother. This relationship is taken a step further via breastfeeding. After the child’s birth, the process of breastfeeding helps in creating an emotional and physical bond between both. There are numerous benefits of breast milk for the child for his mental and physical growth. Breast milk is easily available, has all the necessary nutrients, and is easy to digest for a small growing body. Today we will list down the positives of breast milk for a child:
- IDEAL NUTRIENT MIX: Healthcare professional focuses on six months of excessive breastfeeding. Breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients required for a newborn baby. The mother produces a thick yellow fluid called colostrum, soon after baby birth. It has high protein and low sugar content, sometimes also called golden milk or wonder food. The production of milk increase as the baby’s stomach requirement increases.
- PROVIDES ANTIBODIES: Breast milk contains antibodies that help the baby fight against several viruses and bacteria in the early days and months of his life. Colostrum contains high levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and several other antibodies. IgA protects against several diseases by forming a protection layer in the baby’s throat, nose, and digestive tract. In contrast to this formula milk does not provide so.
- REDUCES RISK OF SEVERAL DISEASES: Breastfeeding not only makes antibodies, but it also protects the child from various diseases like middle ear infection, gut problems, frequent cold and cough, allergic diseases, childhood leukemia.
- LOWERS THE RISK OF SID: Breastfeeding has been linked to reducing the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), especially when there is exclusive breastfeeding involved.
- MAKES YOUR CHILD SMARTER: According to few studies, it has been concluded that she is an intelligent difference between breastfeeding kids and formula-fee kids. The former are smarter. The difference with more noticeable in the case of preterm babies. The difference can be due to a few factors like eye contact, touch, and nutrients.
- BUILDS UP HEALTHY WEIGHT: Babies who are breastfeeding have adequate weight gain and are not found to be obese. Such babies have a higher amount of beneficial gut bacteria, which helps in promoting fat storage.
As breastfeeding has an elaborated list of benefits for babies healthcare people are promoting breastfeeding ad encouraging mothers to breastfeed. As there are more working women these days, the idea of breastfeeding is taking a back seat. But all mothers should understand the benefits of lactation and abstain from formula milk for at least the first six months of childbirth.
By Mrs. Ruchi Mehta
