Breastfeeding provides a perfect balance of food, comfort, and protection against infection in the first six months of life. Breastfeeding dates back to when humans roamed the earth as hunter-gatherers and was necessary for survival. Breast milk is still important today because it’s the only safe food your baby will get before they are six months old that will give them all of their nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and antibodies that protect them from infections under normal circumstances.
Breastfeeding provides unmatched health benefits for babies and mothers. It is the clinical gold standard for infant feeding and nutrition, with breast milk uniquely tailored to meet the health needs of a growing baby. We must do more to create supportive and safe environments for mothers who choose to breastfeed.
Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.
Here are 10 great evidence- based reasons to breastfeed your baby!
Enhances brain development in full term and preterm babies
Breastfeeding has been found to improve cognitive development in premature babies. This is because breast milk contains large amounts of essential nutrients that are vital for brain growth.
Reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
SIDS — sometimes known as “cot death” — is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. It is more common in males than in females. It usually occurs during sleep. Premature and low birth weight babies are at increased risk for SIDS. Breastfeeding exclusively for first 6 months has shown to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Reduces risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections
Studies suggest that exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months is associated with decreased gastrointestinal infections like diarrhoea. It also decreases the risk of respiratory tract infections. However, if babies are breastfed for <6 months they are less likely to avail these benefits.
Protection against obesity in adulthood
Breastfeeding babies exclusively for the first six months can vastly reduce their chances of becoming obese later in life as compared to those who were breastfed inconsistently and those who were fed formula milk.
Protection against dental problems
Breastfeeding promotes healthy bone and muscle growth and development. The sucking action of a baby’s mouth during feeding helps prevent dental problems which a formula fed baby might develop.
Reduces risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
In extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW), chances of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are increased.
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a condition in which intestinal tissue starts dying which can cause a formation of a hole in the intestine from which the contents can leak out in the tummy.
Studies have shown that if these ELBW infants are breastfed exclusively, it can reduce their chances of developing NEC.
Reduces risk of breast cancer
The benefits of breastfeeding are not limited to the baby but they extend to the mum as well.
Research has shown that mothers who breastfeed their babies for more than one year have a lower chance of suffering breast cancer than mothers who breastfeed for a few months or none at all.
Increase spacing between pregnancy
Breastfeeding suppresses the ovulation process, delaying the return of periods. This is an effective natural way of having a gap between successive pregnancies. The longer you breastfeed the less likely it is to get pregnant right away.
Reduces risk of ovarian cancer
Breastfeeding lowers the risk of ovarian cancer. Research suggests that mothers who breastfeed their infants for longer periods (more than 3 months) have a very low chance of developing ovarian cancer than those who do not.
Prevents risk of type 2 diabetes
Studies suggest that women who breastfeed their babies for six months or more are less prone to develop type 2 diabetes than those who bottle feed their infants.
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life and then continuing to breastfeed with complementary foods up to two years or beyond. This provides a child with optimal nutrition, helps protect against infection, and gives mothers greater peace of mind.
References:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31349359/
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids/
- https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/about/benefits-of-breastfeeding/
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)01024-7/fulltext
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27131403/
- https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(16)00421-2/fulltext
- https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/126/1/e18#:~:text=Studies%20that%20were%20able%20to,breastfeeding%20for%20less%20than%203
- https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/news-and-research/baby-friendly-research/infant-health-research/infant-health-research-obesity/#:~:text=This%20study%20of%2016%20countries,for%20six%20months%20or%20more.
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42399-020-00672-8#:~:text=Children%20exclusively%20breastfed%20for%20longer,%2C%2022%2C%2024%2C%2026%2C
- https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/breastfeed_hist
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227125123_Breastfeeding_and_Child_Spacing
- https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/ovarian-fallopian-tube-and-peritoneal-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention
- https://ovariancancernewstoday.com/2020/06/02/breastfeeding-lowers-risk-ovarian-cancer-for-decades-study/#:~:text=Breastfeeding%20was%20linked%20to%20a,studies%20in%20both%20tumor%20types.
- https://www.diabetes.org/resources/women/prenatal-care/diabetes-breastfeeding#:~:text=Breastfeeding%20can%20lower%20a%20mother%27s,recover%20from%20childbirth%20more%20quickly
