BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS FOR BABY AND MOTHER | BY STAR OF BABY
Oct 14,2022
By Star of Baby
Breastfeeding is a beautiful process that creates an intimate relationship between the mother and baby. Breastfeeding can be beneficial for both the mother and the baby. Breastfeeding develops a strong immune system in the baby's body and is prone to minimal gastrointestinal ailments.
Its benefits are so numerous and most health specialists recommend it for everyone for as long as possible, barring medical problems that prevent it.
Let's talk about some benefits of breastfeeding for the baby and the mother.
Breastfeeding benefits for babies:
The following are some benefits of breastfeeding for babies.
1. Provide all nutrients to the baby:
Many doctors recommend breastfeeding for at least 6 months. Breast milk provide all required nutrition to the baby as it contains everything that a baby needs for his/her growth. Also, breast milk changes its composition according to the baby’s needs. For example on the very first day after giving birth, you will produce thicker milk that seems yellowish in colour. This milk is known as colostrum. Colostrum is loaded with all benefits that can’t be replaced with any other thing.
This first milk is a boon for every newborn baby. This milk is easy to digest and is high in protein.
Related content: 12 Indian food to increase breast milk supply.
2. Baby gets antibodies:
Breast milk is the best source to provide antibodies to the baby. Antibodies help the baby to fight diseases. It prevents babies from viruses and bacteria.
Babies need extra care and protection during the early months. It is colostrum that provides a large number of antibodies to the newborn baby during this period. Many researchers had said that babies who don’t get breast milk, especially colostrum, get sick easily and face many health issues like pneumonia, diarrhoea and infections.
3. Protect the baby from disease:
Breastfeeding can protect your baby from the following diseases:
• Ear infections:
• Colds and infections
• Gut infections
• RTIs
• Damaged tissues
• Allergies
• Diabetes
• Childhood leukaemia
• Bowel diseases
4. Helps the baby to gain healthy weight
Breastfeeding promotes the baby’s healthy weight. Breastfeeding, for longer than 4 months reduces the chance of obesity and overweight in a baby.
Breastfeeding provides beneficial gut bacteria to the baby that affect fat storage in the baby’s body and promotes a healthy weight. Breastfed babies get more leptin than a baby who is fed with packaged milk or any other formula.
5. Develops the baby's mind:
Brain development differences can be seen between a breastfed baby and a packaged milk-fed baby. Studies have said that breastfeeding helps the baby to develop their mind and makes them even smarter.
Also read Guide to using breast pumps.
Breastfeeding benefits for mothers:
The following are some benefits of breastfeeding for mothers.
1. Help moms lose weight
It is often seen that mothers who provide breast milk to their baby experience more fat burn compared to other moms after a period of 3 to 4 months of breastfeeding.
2. Breastfeeding protects moms from diseases
If you are a lactating mom, you should know that breastfeeding benefits not only the baby but to the mom also. Breastfeeding protects moms from several diseases like Depression, High blood pressure, high blood fats, heart diseases and diabetes.
3. Strengthen the bond between you and the baby
During breastfeeding, the body produces two hormones known as prolactin and oxytocin. Oxytocin helps you to create an emotional bond with your baby and creates a soothing effect. Breastfeeding develops positive vibes and these nurturing vibes help you to forget everything else and just focus on your baby, You feel more connected to your baby.
4. Promotes better sleep
Oxytocin and prolactin hormones help promote healthy sleeping patterns in mothers as well as in babies. It is seen that lactating mothers experience better sleep than others.
Also read Electric Vs manual breast pumps.
5. Boost overall serenity and health
Breastfeeding helps moms to get better sleep and good sleep promotes health benefits. Breastfeeding works for the emotional and physical wellness of the mother and the baby in a correct manner. One of the important ones is breastfeeding affects the mother’s mental health. And with good mental health, you can keep your baby happy and healthy.
6. It may prevent menstruation
Breastfeeding pauses menstruation. You can take it as an extra benefit as when you are taking care of your baby and spending time with your little one, there is one thing that will be less to worry about. It is natural to suspend menstrual cycles to ensure sometime after pregnancy.