Very Healthy

One of the first ways that a baby forms and intangible bond with his or her mother is through breast feeding. This simple act is a start to a wonderful relationship between a mother and her child. But there are many myths and misconceptions attached with breastfeeding and is believed to be unhealthy and even unpleasant by some. But this is not true and mother’s milk is deemed to be the healthiest nutrient a baby can require.

One of the simplest advantages is that mother’s milk is easily available after birth, is the healthiest, clean, sterile and uncontaminated. Mother’s milk contains anti bacterial properties that protects the baby in the initial months. The milk that is secreted in the first week after the delivery is studied to be the most beneficial for the baby. It contains protective antibodies and is very rich in protein. This milk is called colostrum and is cream in colour and is slightly concentrated. Colostrum provided the maximum fighting power against gastrointestinal infections. Many women, due to ignorance believe this milk is a waste product, but that is not so. This milk should be breast fed to the baby without fail.

Mother’s milk is extremely essential as the intestinal mucosa present in the infant is quite vulnerable for the first 2-3 months after birth. Lactoferrin which is a protein found in breast milk provides protection against respiratory and intestinal infections. It is this same protein that acts as an antibacterial agent which keeps the milk sterile for hours. This allows working women to collect the milk which can be used to feed the baby at later times. This milk however needs to be stored in a sterilised glass bottle. Please consult your doctor for more details.

Women generally produce 500ml of milk everyday and this can increase up to 700ml in the first year that the mother is breast feeding. Mother’s milk contains around 70 calories per 100ml of milk and this more than meets the baby’s requirements. Mother’s milk has lesser protein than cow’s milk and so is easy for the baby to digest in the first few months. If the infant is on cow’s milk from the beginning then there are chances that he or she might develop an allergy to cow’s milk. Milk from breast feeding is rich in carnitine which is helpful for the infant to develop healthy liver functions. Breast milk helps the baby’s body absorb calcium better and helps promote brain growth. It has been proven that children that were breast few have a higher IQ than those that were not.

So breast feeding is advantageous for the baby because:
It protects the infants from ear infections, diarrhea, meningitis, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal infections.
There is a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Increased intelligence and help in optimum brain development.
There is a decreased risk of some cancers like childhood leukemia and there is a lower risk of childhood diabetes.
There is a lower risk of asthma and eczema.
There is a lower risk of obesity in later life and developing psychological disorders.

For Mothers it is beneficial as:
It helps the uterus to return to its pre pregnancy shape and state.
It reduces post partum bleeding
It helps mothers return to the pre pregnancy weight faster.
It reduces the risk of breast cancer as well.