Why Breastfeeding Is Important: Key Health Perks For Moms And Babies

Breastfeeding is an important part of a mother’s and child’s life. It has a lot of pros and negligible cons. Apart from providing essential nutrients to the babies, it also helps build the immune system. Dr Anjima Basumatari Das Paediatrician And Neonatologist, at Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida shared the importance of breastfeeding. Scroll down to learn the importance of breastfeeding for moms and children.

Dr Anjima said, “The breastmilk in the first 24-48 hrs is different from breastmilk which is produced after 48 hours. The first 48 hrs of milk is known as colostrum which contains a lot of antibodies, high in calories and also contains good bacteria that colonise the baby's guts.” “Breastfeeding is a moment that enhances mother and child bonding,” she added.

Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Mothers

Here are the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers:

• Helps in the involution of the uterus when the baby is nursed early, that is right birth.
• Breastfeeding acts as natural birth control.
• Helps in postpartum weight loss.
• Protects against postpartum depression.
• Protects mothers against type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
• Long-term protection against breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
• Convenience of feeding without worrying about contamination or temperature of the milk.

Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Babies

Here are the benefits of breastfeeding for babies:

Breast Milk has natural antibodies which protect the babies against infections.

• Breast milk has optimal nutrition which is needed for the baby and it is tailored according to the maturity of the baby. For instance, milk for preterm babies contains more protein, which helps in the weight gain of preterm or low-birth-weight babies.
• Breast milk is easily digested by the baby and is known to decrease the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (a gastrointestinal disorder that affects premature babies).
• Protects babies against diarrhoea, respiratory infection, asthma and obesity.
• Decreases incidence of behavioural disorders in breastfed babies.
• Decreases infantile colic (persistent and inconsolable crying in babies), calms and soothes the baby.

Breastfeeding week is an awareness period that realises the importance of the process for both moms and babies.

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