Importance of Breast Feeding

Breastmilk is rich in nutrients and anti-bodies and contains the right quantities of fat, sugar, water and protein. These nutrients are major pre-requisites to the health and survival of the baby.

 When a child is exclusively breast fed, their immune system is strengthened, enabling it to life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhoea amongst other infections.

Breastfeeding in the first hour provides a strong and healthy foundation for a baby’s mental growth and personality development.

Improper breastfeeding also leads to lower calories transferred to the baby, leading to health issues.

Benefitsfor the child:

Ø  It is the ultimate food your baby needs with the right mix of nutrients, in an easily digestible form. No formula can meet a baby’s needs as well as mother’s milk.

Ø  Vitamins, enzymes, and minerals in breast milk keeps baby’s intestinal tract healthy.

Ø  It contains antibodies that protect your infant from infections and diseases.

Ø  It keeps your child hydrated.

Ø  Reduces the chances of allergies such as eczema and asthma.

Ø  Cholesterol in breastmilk promotes brain growth, intestinal bile, and hormonal balance.

Ø  Even a mother suffering from malnutrition produces heathy milk for her baby.

2. Benefits for the mother:

Ø  It’s free and does not require any preparation.

Ø  Breast feeding strengthens the bond between the mother and the child.

Ø  It helps you lose weight by burning calories.

Ø  Breastfeeding releases Oxytocin which is responsible to make you feel happy, thereby promoting better overall health.

Ø  This bond also effects the future growth of the child. A child breastfed learns to develop easy human connections and a sense of care and affection.

WHO recommendation for breast feeding:

Ø  The World Health Organization estimates that around 220,000 children could be saved every year with exclusive breastfeeding.

Ø  It recommends that colostrum, the yellowish sticky breast milk that is produced at the end of pregnancy as the ideal food for new-borns; to be given within the first hour of birth, a process referred to as early initiation.

Ø  Infants breast fed within the first hour of birth are three times more likely to survive than those who have their first breast milk after a day.

Ø  Exclusive breastfeeding should be given from birth up to 6 months and continued breastfeeding is recommended with appropriate complementary food until the child celebrates his/her second year birth day without water, food or drink.