By Nutriworld | Dt. Dipanwita Saha
‘The word Nutrition is derived from ‘nutricus’ which means to suckle at the breast. Breast milk is the natural food for the baby. Breastfeeding is gift for your baby. It’s a baby’s first vaccine you can give. It’s a tailored for your baby and changes depending on their need.
Breast milk contains all macro & micro nutrients according to your baby’s need for 6 months of life in right proportions. Its composition even changes according to the baby’s changing needs, especially during first month of life.
Breastfeeding is not only beneficial to your baby but also to you. Its lowers the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, & postpartum depression in you.
Breastfeeding soon after birth promotes maternal health by facilitating uterine involution and reducing the risk of postpartum complications such as uterine infections and haemorrhage.
The release of oxytocin during breastfeeding also helps the mother’s uterus return to its pre- pregnancy size and tone, supporting postpartum recovery.
Breast milk benefits nutritional, immunological, psychological, economical and physiological advantages.
Here’s a quick look it to the10 benefits of breastfeeding to you and your baby
Benefits to your baby
1. Immediate nourishment to your new born baby
Early initiation of breastfeeding ensures that new-born receive their first dose of colostrum, also known as “liquid gold.” Colostrum is a nutrient-rich fluid secreted by the mother’s breasts during the initial days postpartum. It is packed with antibodies, vitamins, and minerals essential for the new-Born’s immune system development
2. Protection from infectious disease:
It protects your baby from Asthma, sever lower respiratory diseases, diarrhoea, vomiting, and ear infection.
3. Optimal nutrition:
The composition of breast milk is best suited for your baby and provide nutrients like protein, carbs good fat, calcium, phosphorus, & other essential nutrients to your baby.
4. Healthy brain development:
Polyunsaturated fatty acid found in breast milk supports efficient brain development of your baby. Breastfed babies have better cognitive performance & higher IQ’ compared to formula fed babies. Breast feeding makes your baby smarter.
5. Long term Health & Development:
Breastfeeding has numerous long-term health benefits for your baby, including reduced risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Benefits To you
1. Postpartum benefits:
For mothers, early initiation of breastfeeding has numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of postpartum complications such as uterine infections and breast engorgement.
2. Breastfeeding reduces your disease risk:
It helps to reduce weight after child birth, lowers the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
3. Psychological & emotional Benefits to you:
Mothers who breast fed have a lower risk for depression. Early breastfeeding fosters skin-to-skin contact between you and baby, promoting bonding and emotional attachment. The close physical proximity during breastfeeding releases hormones like oxytocin and prolactin, which enhance your baby bonding and promote feelings of love, security, and well-being for both you and baby.
4. Effective for birth control:
Breastfeeding is an important birth control method. Most cost-effective method of family planning Continued breastfeeding also pauses ovulation and menstruation. The suspension of menstrual cycles may actually be nature’s way of ensuring there’s some time between pregnancies.
5. It saves time & Money:
By choosing to breast feed you won’t have to spend money on formula feed and won’t have to waste your precious time for making formula feed and cleaning of utensils for making your baby’s feed thus breastfeeding is the most economic and time saving method. also, there is no wastage of your milk.
Takeaway
Breast feeding is a natural resource that is renewable with each pregnancy. it requires no packaging & no shipping or disposal needed it offers a myriad of benefits for both you and your baby, from providing immediate nourishment and passive immunity. Getting ready for the birth of your baby is an exciting and busy time. One of the most important decisions you will make is how to feed your baby. What matters most is having the information, options and support you need to choose what truly works for you and your family.
BY, POONAM VORA
