The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding explains that “there is almost nothing you can do for your child in his whole life that will affect him both emotionally and physically as profoundly as breastfeeding.” Breast milk provides specific nutrients that babies need to grow, both in size and maturity. Your milk is made to order for your baby. Babies who breastfeed have better mental development and emotional security.
Breastfed babies have a decreased likelihood for allergies and dental caries. They also benefit from appropriate jaw, teeth and speech development as well as overall facial development. This means that people who were artificially fed may experience more trips to doctors and dentists.
Breastfeeding within the first hour or so after birth is important because: It makes you as the mother more confident that you can breastfeed. Your baby starts to receive the immunological effects of colostrums, the first breastmilk. One way breast feeding protects your newborn from illnesses is the immune molecules, called antibodies, that are present in human milk. Antibodies are made by your body’s immune system and are very specific molecules that help you fight each illness. When babies are born, their immune systems are very immature and they have less ability to fight illness-causing germs. Through your breast milk, you give your baby immunities to illnesses to which you are immune and also those to which you have been exposed.
Breast milk helps keep your baby healthy.
- It supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions.
- Reduces risk of Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS)
- Chrohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
- Celiac disease
- Heart disease and liver disease in adulthood
- Protects against allergies
- It protects against intestinal disorders and obesity.
- It protects against diseases, like diabetes and certain childhood cancer.
- It protects against infections, like ear infections , upper and lower respiratory ailments.
- Protects against Colds, viruses, staph, strep and e coli infections
- It is easily digested – no constipation, diarrhea or upset stomach.
- Babies have healthier weights as they grow.
- Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests.
Why is Breastfeeding Important for You?
Mothers who breastfeed:
- Have a reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes and certain cancers such as breast cancer.
- heal after baby’s birth and avoid severe post partum bleeding
- return more quickly to pre pregnancy weight, burning 500 extra calories per day
- have stronger bones later in life
- build a strong emotional bond with their babies
- relax; every time a baby feeds, the mother gets a surge of the bonding hormone oxytocin, which has a calming and relaxing effect.
Later in life, women who do not breastfeed are at higher risk for diabetes, osteoporosis, breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.