Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the safest and most healthy
choice to feed your baby. It is important to understand the benefits you will
get by breastfeeding and have your health provider and maternal health care
facility to encourage and support breastfeeding. (source of picture: http://www.peterboroughandstamford.nhs.uk)
The Importance of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is very important because
breastmilk is the natural food for newborns. It contains everything your baby
needs. It has disease-fighting antibodies that can help infants from several
types of illnesses.
The Canadian Paediatric Society and the College
of Family Physicians of Canada agree that:
·
Breastfeeding
should be started for the first six months
·
Around six
months, babies begin to eat solid foods and continue to breastfeed for up to 2
years or beyond
The experience of breastfeeding is exceptional
for many reasons.
·
Breastfeeding
will give you, your baby, your family, and your community a lot of benefits
·
Breastfeeding
is free
·
Breastmilk
is convenient, always the right temperature and available anytime
·
Breastfeeding
encourages bonding between you and your baby
·
Breastfeeding
satisties both your and your baby’s emotional needs
Breastfeeding Protects Babies
Early
Breast Milk is Liquid Gold
 |
| Colostrum (left) vs breast milk (right) from Wikipedia |
Breast
milk is easier to digest
Breast milk is easy for your baby to digest. Some
proteins present in cow’s milk are difficult for baby to digest. Iron in your
breast milk is also easy for your baby to absorb.
Breast
milk fight diseases
The chemical formula of breast milk is very
unique that it can protect baby from illness. Breast milk also decreases the
risk of digestive diseases, risk of ear, chest, and stomach infections,
prevents diarrhea, and decreases the risk of Suddent Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS).
The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers
Breastfeeding is not only good for your baby
but also for you. Here are some benefits of breastfeeding for mothers.
Breastfeeding
promotes bonding between mother and baby
Breastfeeding stimulates the release of
oxytocin hormone in the mother’s baby which stimulates uterine contractions,
milk ejection, and development of maternal behavior.
Breastfeeding
decreases a mother’s risk of breast cancer
There is a study that shows the relationship
between the longer the lifetime of breastfeeding and the greater the risk of
reduction for breast cancer. This relationship is existed for both pre- and
postmenopausal women.
Breastfeeding
helps prevent post-partum hemorrage
Nursing releases oxytocin and help shrink
uterus back to pre-pregnancy size. These contraction also discourage excessive
bleeding from placental site.
Breastfeeding
decreases chances of osteoporosis
Breastfeeding mothers and their babies have a lower
risk of developing osteoporosis. Mothers who do not breastfeed have four times
higher risk for osteoporosis than mother who do breastfeed.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Leave the comment please!