BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING FOR BABIES

Breast milk contains everything your baby needs to grow and develop along with a strong immune system. It provides a unique and specific formula of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and lowers your baby’s risk of certain short-term and long-term diseases.

Let’s take a look at more benefits;

Nutritional benefits

• It’s easy to digest for your baby’s immature tummy and intestines

• It contains antibodies that protect against infection

• It has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein and more for your baby’s development

• It promotes healthy weight gain in infants

• It changes to meet your baby’s nutritional needs as he/she grows

• It contains substances that naturally soothe your baby

Besides, as per various prominent studies - breastfeeding prevents your baby from the following;

• Ear infections

• Bacterial meningitis

• Asthma

• Childhood obesity

• Eczema

• Type 2 diabetes

• Leukemia 

• Cavities and orthodontic problems

• Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

• Diarrhea, vomiting and preterm necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)

• Respiratory infections like pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and cough

WHO and UNICEF recommend:

• Early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth;

• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; and

• Introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.

Takeaway

Colostrum - the "pre-milk" that comes in after you deliver is chock-full of antibodies to protect your new-born baby. It's also higher in protein and lower in sugar than 'full' milk, so even a small amount can hold off your baby's hunger, easily. 

Secondly, while your breast milk morphs to meet your baby's changing needs, formula isn't able to change its constitution neither comes along with multiple benefits. Therefore, it is strongly advisable to breastfeed!