BREAST FEEDING – GOOD FOR BABY GOOD FOR MOM
BREAST FEEDING – GOOD FOR BABY GOOD FOR MOM
The choice to breast feed or formula feed the baby is purely a personal matter. You and your baby are unique, and the decision of breast feeding solely depends on you and your child. The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (I.A.P.) strongly recommend exclusive breast feeding up to 6 months of age and then optimal complementary foods along with breast feeding up till 2 years of age. To breast feed or formula feed the child is one of the biggest decision an expectant or new mother will make. This overview on breast feeding can help you decide.
Benefits for the baby:
The benefits of breast feeding for the child are not just short termed but the effects are seen even as the child grows into an adult. Breast feeding helps the baby at multiple levels:
Nutrition: It provides the right proportion of essential nutrients, vitamins, proteins and fat that helps the baby’s body and brain to develop. These nutrients strengthen and develop the baby’s immature immune system that no other substance can. The amazing fact is that breast milk changes its composition to meet baby’s needs as they get older or become sick. Breastfed babies have a greater sense of taste and smell because breast milk changes flavour based on the mother’s diet.
Immunity: Breast milk is rich in antibodies which help the baby to fight off bacteria and viruses. This means a breastfed child falls sick less often compared to a non-breast fed child. They also respond better to immunizations against Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Haemophilus influenza (Virus that can cause a severe infection). Also, it lowers chances of asthma and other allergies in the child. It ensures fewer trips to the hospital or doctor as the risk of ear infections, diarrhoea and respiratory illnesses are reduced when on breast milk.
Digestion: Breast milk is the perfect food – it’s easy to digest for the child as it is made up of live cells which can be easily absorbed.
Intelligent Quotient (I.Q.): Breast fed child is on the path of optimal brain development. They are associated with a slightly enhanced performance of cognitive developmental tests. Some studies have shown higher I.Q. scores in kids who were breast fed as a child. Breastfeeding ensures the best developmental and psychosocial outcomes for the infant.
Weight gain: It ensures the right amount of weight gain as they grow rather than becoming overweight children. It lowers risk of obesity and type 1 and 2 Diabetes in children.
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome): It lowers the incidence of SIDS in infants.
Mother-child Bond: Babies have feelings and thrive on emotions. The skin-to-skin contact, physical closeness and eye contact with you help build a strong bond and instils a sense of security in the child.
Apart from these, the child there is optimal oral development because of their jaw movements and nutrients in breast milk decrease the risk of tooth decay.
Benefits of breast feeding for the mother:
Breast feeding is a wonderful gift for the mother as well.
Weight loss: Feeding an infant requires 480 extra calories a day. Studies have shown that women who breast feed their child may have trouble losing weight in the first 3 months post-delivery but 3rd month onwards the weight loss is faster than that of a non-breast feeding mother. Breast feeding helps you lose 400 calories a day.
Improving Heart Health: Breast feeding for a year or more is linked to 10-50% lower risk of metabolic diseases, heart diseases, High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Cutting risk of Cancer: Breast feeding provides the mother with a long-term protection against various cancers. The total time a woman spends breastfeeding is linked with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer. In fact, women who breastfeed for more than a year during their lifetime have a 28% lower risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
Stronger Bones: Breast feeding also lowers the risk of diseases of the skeletal system like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in women.
Time and Cost-effective: Breast feeding is completely free and requires minimal efforts. There is no need for buying and making formula. The number of feeds need not be measured and calculated. No time spent sterilizing the bottles or warming the milk while travelling. So, it saves you time and money and gives you time to relax with your little one.
Maternal Fulfillment: Breast feeding gives a unique emotional experience to both the mother and the child. Research shows that non-breast feeding mothers are at higher risk of post-partum depression. This is because, while nursing there is a release of a hormone oxytocin, this promotes nurturing and relaxation. Oxytocin also helps the uterus to regain its pre-pregnancy size and position and thus reduce post-partum bleeding.
The benefits of breast feeding are multifold both for the baby and the mother. However, there are some women who are unable to breast feed their child due to health problems or lifestyle or certain medications (like chemotherapy). Remember, if you are unable to breast feed your child, formula feed is still completely fine. It will provide the child with all the necessary nutrients.
