Breast milk is the best food for your baby, and the myriad advantages of breastfeeding mean that your baby can benefit from your milk in many other ways as well.
Breastfeeding benefits for baby with mum.
You may have heard that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for a minimum period of six months, but what is the reason for this recommendation? Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to protect children’s health, and if it were extended to virtually universal levels, the lives of some 820,000 children would be saved each year; a really compelling argument.
The health benefits of breastfeeding.
Besides serving as food, breast milk also protects your baby. Breast milk is packed with living ingredients, including stem cells, white blood cells, and beneficial bacteria, as well as other bioactive components, such as antibodies, enzymes and hormones, that help fight infection, prevent disease and contribute to normal and healthy development.
Babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives are less likely to suffer from allergies, diarrhea and nausea, gastroenteritis, colds and flu, ear and chest infections, and yeast infections. Compared with formula-fed infants, breastfed babies are half as likely to have sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or sudden infant death).
IÔÇÖm an advocate of ÔÇÿindiscreetÔÇÖ breastfeeding ÔÇô the more that people see babies at the breast, the more normal it will be..
Baby Essential Review – The Best Baby & Toddler Blog
Of course, breastfed babies also get sick sometimes, but breastfeeding during the baby’s illness offers even more benefits: “If a baby becomes ill, or if its mother is ill, the protective components of her milk will tend to increase.”, explains Professor Peter Hartmann of the University of Western Australia, an internationally recognized breastfeeding expert. “A breastfed baby is likely to recover faster than a formula-fed baby, as the mother’s body will produce specific antibodies against any infection she may have.”
And it is not only important for nutrition and immune protection: when the baby is sick or upset, breastfeeding calms and relaxes him, which is an important benefit that should not be underestimated. In fact, some studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces crying and brings relief when babies get their shots.
The benefits of breast milk for premature babies
Feeding your premature baby your milk offers the best possible protection against potentially deadly diseases, such as septicemia, chronic lung disease, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Breastfed premature babies are also more likely to leave the hospital earlier .
‘Feeding your premature baby with breast milk is the best thing you can do for him,’ emphasizes Professor Hartmann. “Every drop counts”. In fact, health professionals view breast milk not only as nutrition, but also as a medical intervention. Learn more about how important breast milk is to premature babies.
How Breastfeeding Helps Your Baby Sleep
You may have heard that formula-fed babies sleep longer, but it seems like it’s just a myth. Studies show that breastfed and formula-fed babies are equally likely to wake up to feed during the night. The difference is that breastfed babies fall asleep sooner. The oxytocin produced in your baby’s body when he breastfeeds makes him drowsy when finished. And there are other hormones and nucleotides in your milk that help your baby develop healthy circadian rhythms (sleep-wake patterns).
Breastfeeding and baby brain development
The first six months of your baby’s life are a very intense time for his rapidly growing brain: it almost doubles in mass during this crucial period. A study carried out in the United States showed that toddlers and preschoolers who had been exclusively breastfed for at least three months had brains with 20-30% more white matter, connecting different brain regions and transmits the signals between them, compared to those who had not been breastfed.
The importance of breastfeeding for the development of the baby’s brain is reflected in different studies carried out around the world. In a study conducted in the UK, 16-year-olds who had been breastfed for six months or more as infants were found to be more likely to score better on school tests. And Brazilian researchers found that people who had been breastfed for at least a year tended to earn more money in their 30s .
Even when these results are adjusted for factors such as family income and the mother’s educational level, it appears that exclusively breastfed children are more likely to have a higher IQ compared to breastfed infants. formula milk. ‘There are several hypotheses about this,’ says Professor Hartmann. “One of them is related to the long-chain fatty acids present in breast milk, such as DHA, which has a positive effect on the brain and its development.”
And the latest ones suggest that breastfeeding also has behavioral benefits. In a study of 10,000 children, those who breastfed for more than four months were 30% less likely to display problem behavior at five years of age.
The Lasting Benefits of Breastfeeding for Your Baby
Breastfeeding isn’t just good for your baby for the first six months. The longer you continue to drink breast milk, the more benefits you get, especially for your health.
With each take, the levels of oxytocin, the “love hormone”, rise in both of your bodies, which encourages your bond. This can be a solid foundation for future relationships and may even help your little one cope better with stress as an adult.
Studies also show that children who were breastfed as babies are less likely to suffer from some types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma and tend to have better vision and straighter teeth than those who were fed formula. Breastfeeding also helps reduce the risk that your baby will end up being obese or develop diabetes type 1 or 2 upon reaching adulthood.
So if you’re wondering when the benefits of breastfeeding end, the answer is that they last a lifetime. And the longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits will also be for your health.
