Breast milk provides nutritious and easily available nutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, body structures, and organic antibodies from the mother. Mature maternal antibodies form antibodies to the virus to which she and her baby have been exposed. These antibodies enter her milk to help protect her baby from getting sick. Immunoglobulin A coats the developing lining of the baby’s intestines to help with germs and allergies. Breast milk also contains natural substances that soothe babies.
Breastfeeding Benefits
Breast milk provides babies with nutritious food
Many health care professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months or more. Breast milk contains everything a baby needs for the first six months of life, in appropriate doses. Its structure changes even the changing needs of the baby, especially in the first month of life.
During the first few days after birth, your breasts produce a thick and yellow fluid called colostrum. It is high in protein, low in sugar, and loaded with beneficial compounds. It is a portion of amazing food and can be transformed into a formula.
Colostrum is the first proper milk and helps the newborn’s digestive system to improve. After the first few days, the breasts begin to produce more milk as the baby’s stomach grows.
The only thing that may be missing from your supply of magical milk is vitamin D. Unless you have a very high diet (and most of us don’t), your breast milk will not provide enough. Vitamin D drops are often recommended.
Breast milk contains important antibodies
Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help your baby fight viruses and bacteria, which is very important in those tenders, in the first few months. This is especially true of colostrum, the first milk. Colostrum provides high levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), as well as many other antibodies.
When you are exposed to germs or bacteria, you begin to produce antibodies and then enter the milk. It’s self-defense, baby! IgA protects the baby from getting sick by making a protective layer in the baby’s nose, throat, and digestive system.
The formula does not provide immune protection in children. Reliable sources indicate that infants who are breastfed are at greater risk for health issues such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and infection.
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of infections
A special source of breastfeeding, which means that the baby receives only breast milk, is especially beneficial.
It can reduce your child’s risk of many diseases and infections, including:
Medium ear infection: Breastfeeding, especially specially and for as long as possible, can protect against ear infections, throat, and nasal congestion more than a reliable source.
Respiratory diseases: Breastfeeding can protect against serious respiratory and intestinal infections.
Fever and disease: Babies who are only breastfed for six months may have a lower risk of getting colds and ear or throat infections.
Intestinal infections: Breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in intestinal infections.
Intestinal injuries: Premature breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in necrotizing enterocolitis.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS, especially when exclusive breastfeeding.
Allergic diseases: Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and eczema.
Intestinal diseases: Breastfed babies are less likely to get Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diabetes: Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2).
Childhood leukemia: Breastfeeding is linked to reducing the risk of leukemia in the baby.
Breast milk promotes a healthy weight for the baby
Breastfeeding promotes healthy gains and helps prevent the baby’s weight gain. Some studies have shown that breastfeeding longer than 4 months significantly reduced the risk of obesity and obesity.
This may be due to the development of various germs in the stomach. Breastfed infants have high levels of beneficial bacteria in the stomach, which can affect fat retention.
Babies who are breastfed also have more leptin in their systems than formula-fed babies. Leptin is an important hormone that regulates appetite and fat storage.
Breastfed babies also control their own milk. They are better at eating only until they have satisfied their hunger, which helps them to develop healthy eating habits.
Breastfeeding can make babies smarter
Breastfeeding can help a baby to test those tests. Other studies The Reliable Source suggests that there may be a difference in brain development between breastfed and lactating infants.
These differences may be due to physical contact, touch, and eye contact associated with breastfeeding and nutrient content. Studies show that breastfed babies have higher levels of intelligence and are less likely to have behavioral problems and difficulty learning as they grow older.
However, the most significant effects are seen in premature babies, who are at high risk for developmental problems.
Research clearly shows that breastfeeding has positive effects on long-term brain development in children.
Breastfeeding can help you lose weight
You may have heard this many times. While some women seem to gain weight during breastfeeding, others seem to lose weight easily.
Breastfeeding burns many calories and after three months of breastfeeding, you may experience an increase in fat burning compared to non-breastfeeding mothers. Although the difference is not significant.
Breastfeeding helps the uterine contractor
During pregnancy, your uterus grows enormously, growing from a pair to filling almost the entire space of your abdomen.
After giving birth, your uterus performs a process called involution, which helps it to return to its original size. Oxytocin, a hormone that increases throughout pregnancy, helps drive this process.
Your body releases high levels of oxytocin during childbirth to help deliver the baby and reduce bleeding. It may also help you to meet your new baby.
Oxytocin also increases during breastfeeding. It promotes uterine contractions and reduces bleeding, helping the uterus to return to its original size.
Studies have also shown that breastfeeding mothers often lose a small amount of blood after childbirth and early uterine exposure.
Breastfeeding mothers have a lower risk of depression
Postpartum depression is a type of depression that can develop soon after birth. Breastfeeding women were less likely to experience postpartum depression after birth, compared with mothers who were weaned early or did not breastfeed, according to a 2012 study.
However, those who experience postpartum depression are more likely to have breastfeeding problems and do so for a while.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of your disease
Breastfeeding provides long-term protection against cancer and a number of diseases.
The total time a woman spends breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Breastfeeding women have a lower risk of:
- high blood pressure
- arthritis
- high blood fats
- heart disease
- type 2 diabetes
Breastfeeding can prevent menstruation
Continuous breastfeeding also stops egg maturation and menstruation. Stopping menstrual cycles can actually be a natural way to ensure that there is a time between pregnancies.
You can make this change as an added benefit. While you are enjoying precious time with your newborn, there is just one small thing you can worry about.
More Reading: Disadvantages of Breastfeeding
FAQ
How is breastfeeding beneficial to the mother?
Breastfeeding provides health benefits for mothers beyond emotional satisfaction. Mothers who breastfeed recover from childbirth more quickly and easily. The hormone oxytocin, released during breastfeeding, acts to return the uterus to its regular size more quickly and can reduce postpartum bleeding.
Does breastfeeding help lose weight?
Beyond providing nourishment and helping to protect your baby from getting sick, breastfeeding can also help you lose weight gained during pregnancy. When you breastfeed, you use fat cells stored in your body during pregnancy — along with calories from your diet — to fuel your milk production and feed your baby.
Does breastfeeding make you sleepy?
Why Do I Get Sleepy While Breastfeeding? Along with the comforting feeling of nursing your baby, breastfeeding also releases Oxytocin in your brain. The release of oxytocin can cause a relaxed and sleepy feeling.
