Benefits of
Breastfeeding
By: Roxanne Edwards
09/10/18- The consumption of breast milk continues to provide researchers
and pediatricians with strong evidence of it being sustenance for newborns,
babies, infants and even toddlers. Not
only does it provide your growing baby’s body with all the essential nutrients,
but there are also additional benefits which correlates with a woman’s body
being naturally able to produce milk. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Development,
“research shows that breastfeeding offers many health benefits for infants and
mothers, as well as potential economic and environmental benefits for
communities.”
In a study of 5 mothers who fed their premature babies breast
milk, at least 9-10 times a day, 3 out of 5 experienced rapid weight gain and
growth of their newborn. Though 2 of these mothers did not observe an increase in body weight and
or growth, the reasons were due to adverse medical effects and circumstances.
Studies have also shown that babies exclusively breastfed
are less prone to contracting infectious diseases such as the common influenza
or cold. The National Institute of
Child Health and Development confirms this by stating, “among its other known
health benefits are some protection against common infections and better
survival during a baby’s first year, including a lower risk of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome.”
Breastfeeding also provides families with an economically
sound way of providing all the right nutrients for their baby, and the most fun
part is, they can continue this process throughout the remainder of a child’s
infant life through to their early toddler years. In a study of 3 moms, breastfeeding was the preferred
way of providing nutrition for their toddler, while supplementing with small
meals to introduce and reinforce a child’s natural ability to chew using those first
few teeth they gain during early infancy.
The Department of Women Infant and Children also are very pro-breastfeeding,
as its representatives see it as the perfect food babies need. In-fact, breast milk is found to have so much
value, that the Department of Women Children and Families' first and most important objective is to assist
new mothers with the process of breastfeeding before issuing benefits for
purchasing formulas and other baby foods at supermarkets.
Other benefits of breastfeeding according to experts are:
- Breastfeeding speeds up the process of losing those extra pounds after giving birth and helps the uterus contract and return to its normal size.
- Most importantly, breastfeeding provides a natural bond between mother and baby which is important as babies need to feel connected, protected, safe, and loved.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics states“breastfeeding
is the one parenting behavior that only the mother can do for her baby,
creating a unique and powerful and physical and emotional connection.”
Breastfeeding is certainly a powerful resource for new moms and the rest of the family in the general outlook and context of economics, and health and how these factors contribute to reducing costs within a community.
There
is no wonder why they call it liquid gold!”
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