mother and baby

Health Benefits of Breastfeeding – A Baby Friendly Initiative

Congratulations! So, now that you are a mother and have given life to an individual, you must be eager to learn important things for you and your baby. Breastfeeding is one of the very basics that you need to learn prior to giving birth to your newborn. You need to know why breastfeeding is the first choice of all pediatricians in comparison to formula milk or bottle feeding.

Importance of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding your baby for the first 6 months is extremely essential as it nourishes them rightly and gives them all the nutrients needed to grow. In the first few months, babies have a very weak digestive system as a result of which they cannot feed on solid foods. Mother’s milk is easy to digest and also provides all the essential nutrition needed for the growing baby. Moreover, breastfeeding is also significant for the health of the mother, apart from the baby.

Breastfeeding – health benefits for Mother

Several researches have proven the fact that breastfeeding has several health benefits for the new mothers. These benefits include:

  • Breastfeeding helps the uterus return back into its pre-pregnant state.

  • It helps the mother to shed the weight she added during pregnancy.

  • Helps reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and also pre-menopausal breast cancer.

  • Breastfeeding reduces the risk of females with gestational diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.

Breastfeeding – health benefits for Baby

Breastfeeding for babies has several health benefits. These include:

  • Babies have lower risk of gastro-intestinal illness.

  • Lowered risk of allergies.

  • Lowered risk of asthma.

  • Lowered risk of diabetes.

  • Lowered risk of obesity.

  • Low risk of childhood cancers.

  • Low risk of catching Respiratory tract infection.

  • Low risk of catching a urinary tract infection.

  • Reduced chances of SIDS.

Overall, babies who are breastfed, have lower chances of being hospitalized due to health reasons.

It is the perfect food for newborn babies that has the perfect nutrition. It helps enhance the immunity system of the baby and promotes mental and physical growth. It is easy to digest as compared to formula milk which can cause diarrhea and also constipation. So, if you are planning to give your baby formula milk, think twice and choose to breastfeed your newborn for a better health.

 

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