Breastmilk is an essential component that helps in ensuring a baby's healthy growth and well-being. The advantages of breastfeeding are many for both – the mothers and their babies. In addition to offering vital vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients to the infants, it also safeguards the two against a wide range of diseases and helps in developing a healthy immune system.
Breastfeeding Benefits for the babies
Contributes to Build a Strong Intelligence Level
A wide number of studies have proved that babies who are breastfed tend to exhibit a higher level of intelligence level than those who are not. They also perform better in terms of mental agility and emotionally connect more strongly with their mothers.
A Protective Shield
Breastmilk contains many essential immunes boosting ingredients such as immunoglobulin A (lgA) and a long chain of fatty acids such as DHA, which act as a shield for babies. lgA forms a protective layer in the infant’s intestinal tract which helps fight against common food reaction. The absence of this layer can lead to inflammation in babies resulting in leaky walls of the intestine. This can further make a path for allergies to affect the infant’s immune system severely. On the other hand, the fatty acids help safeguard the baby from suffering from frequent respiratory problems.
Prevent the Danger of Obesity
Many pieces of research have shown that babies who are breastfed are at a lower risk of becoming obese. Some reasons behind the theory are as follows:-
• Breastfed babies tend to eat better that those who are formula-fed.
• Breastmilk has a lower level of insulin which apparently is the main stimulator of fat creation in the body.
• Babies who are breastfed gain less weight in the initial months of birth in comparison to those who are formula-fed.
Breastfeeding Benefits to Mothers
Reduces Stress and Postpartum Depression
It has been found that mothers who breastfeed their babies are at a lower risk of developing postpartum depression and stay more relaxed than other who formula-feed. It is because nursing stimulates the release of Oxytocin, a hormone which produces a calming effect in the mother's body. The hormone also helps in contraction of the mother’s uterus after delivery.
Lowers the Risk of Gaining Certain Kids of Cancers
A vast number of researchers have proved that the longer a mother breastfeeds her baby, the lower are her chances of developing certain types of cancers. Nursing for more than a year has the most positive effect on a mother.
Breastmilk is nature’s perfect formula for the babies. It not only helps feed the baby with essential nutrients necessary for his/her proper growth, build a strong bond between the two but also safeguards both – the mother and her baby against a plethora of diseases.
