Breastfeeding your baby is a complete personal matter of a mother and child but breastfeeding offers a number of benefits for the development of your child and also health benefits for the mothers as well. It is highly recommended by WORLD HEALTH’S ORGANIZATION (WHO) to all the mothers to breast-feed their babies for six months at least to achieve optimal growth. Below are some important benefits of breastfeeding for your baby:
Breast milk contains such anti bodies that help in making your baby’s immune system strong, which in turn helps your baby’s body fight off bacterial and viral infections. Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from any ear or respiratory tract infection. Even vaccines become more effective because of better anti body response.
Breastfeeding prevents your baby’s body from developing chronic diseases later in life such as diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure etc. Additionally, those mothers who breast-feed are less likely to develop breast cancer or osteoporosis in their lives.
Breast milk promotes a healthy weight for your baby! The chances of obesity are reduced in breastfed babies mainly because of the presence of gut bacteria which affects the fat storage. Breastfeeding also promotes healthy eating pattern because from time to time the baby starts to self-regulate their milk intake.
Studies have found out that breastfeeding makes the children smarter and they usually tend to have higher IQ level than the formula fed babies because of the fatty acids present in the breast milk that are considered as brain boosters.
Breastfeeding creates a close emotional and physical bond between you and your baby. It is not just a meal but also has long lasting mental and physical health benefits in children. Mothers who breastfeed also tend to recover from childbirth more quickly!
Author: Ume Laila