WHO quotes
that “Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food
for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part
of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers”. There are many health benefits of breastfeeding for both the
baby and mother. Here is a list of few important benefits of breastfeeding.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Baby
- Breast fed babies have stronger immune system and doesn’t fall prey easily to infections than formula fed infants
- The cholesterol and unsaturated fats in the breastmilk promotes the good development of brain and nerve cells early in the life.
- Due to the immunity conferred by the breastmilk, breast fed babies experience less episodes of diarrhoea and constipation.
- Breastfeeding has also been proved to be preventive against a few types of childhood cancers.
- Breastfed babies have 36% reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- There is 15-30% reduction of adolescent and adult obesity rate in children who were exclusively breastfed during infancy.
- Babies fed with formula or cow’s milk tend to have more allergies than breast fed babies.
- Researchers have concluded that breast fed babies have a significant better cognitive development than formula fed babies.
- Sucking activity improves the muscle strength of the jaws and in turn to better orthodontic development.
- The Human milk are less likely to have fever after immunization
Benefits
of breastfeeding for the Mother
- Initiating breastfeeding in the first hour after childbirth helps the uterus to contract and reduce the post partum blood flow
- Mommies who breastfeed their infants have found to have lesser percentage of ovarian and breast cancer later in life
- Post partum depression was found to be less in mommies who breastfeed their baby
- The Mother Baby bond is strengthened by breastfeeding and the mom feels more reassured of the baby care
- Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis in the future
Author Bio
I am Dr.Hemapriya, a.k.a the
“Doctor Mommy”. I am a medical doctor by profession, no longer into active
medical practice as my two little moppets keep me pretty much busy. But, this
has not stopped me from putting my medical knowledge to good use.
