Benefits of Breastfeeding For The Mother and Baby

Benefits of Breastfeeding
(Last Updated On: December 3, 2022)

Many new parents do not know the importance and benefits of breastfeeding. They don’t know breastfeeding is the most natural and best way to provide young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure better child health.

What Are The Benefits of Breastfeeding?

Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants because breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life. Health experts advise exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months of age. After 6 months of age, weaning foods can be added on but should continue breastfeeding until one to two years of age.

Dr Indu Khosla, a Consultant Pediatrician, and past President of the Indian academy of paediatrics, Mumbai, elaborates on the benefits of breastfeeding.

As soon as the little bundle of joy is born there are so many anxieties and queries in the parents’ minds. But I think one thing is surely sorted and that is feeding. And there is no question and no doubt in anybody’s mind that breastfeeding is best for your baby. I commonly joke with the parents by saying, “if your baby is breastfed he’s your baby, if they stop feeding, is the doctor’s baby.

So exclusive breastfeeding till six months of age is what is recommended and then weaning foods can be added on. Breastfeeding should be continued till one to two years of age. The advantages of breastfeeding are many.

Benefits Of Breastfeeding For The Mother And Baby

Benefits Of Breastfeeding
Benefits Of Breastfeeding For The Mother And Baby

Benefits Of Breastfeeding To The Baby

Look at the advantages to the baby.

  • The baby grows well
  • Correct nutrition
  • Correct quantity
  • Right temperature
  • Freedom from infection

Freedom from infection because whatever infection the mom has suffered that immunity she has, and she passes it on to the baby.

Benefits Of Breastfeeding To The Mother

Let’s look at the advantages to the mother.

  • Gets back to shape
  • Bonds better with the baby
  • Reduces the risk of breast cancer

She gets back into the figure that she wanted back soon very quickly as breastfeeding helps the uterus to go down and the mom to lose weight.

She bonds with the baby very very well.

And it reduces the risk of breast cancer and other malignancies in the mother.

So my dear friends so much for a little effort to put in that’s breastfeeding and that helps you and your baby to go a long way.

Read The Importance Of Breastfeeding

WHO – Breastfeeding

Breast Feeding Benefits WHO
Breast Feeding WHO

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, nearly 2 out of 3 infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months—a rate that has not improved in 2 decades. 

Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life. 

Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers. 

Source: WHO – Breastfeeding

Final Thoughts

I hope that the above information is helpful for you to remove your myths about breastfeeding and understand the benefits of breastfeeding. Breast milk is the best food for your baby. It is true that in the present world working mothers have difficulty breastfeeding their babies. But you must ensure that you are breastfeeding your baby whenever possible. Never ignore breastfeeding your baby because of negative thoughts that breastfeeding will damage your beauty and glamour. Remember, motherhood is a blessing and through breastfeeding, you are sharing your love, affection and everything with your baby.

Are you aware of the benefits of breastfeeding your child?

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