World Breastfeeding Day: Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers and Infants

Breast milk is an ideal source of nutrition for your baby. Not only does it contain all the essential nutrients and vitamins that are vital for your baby during the first 6 months of life, but it is also full of disease-fighting substances that can protect your baby from several illnesses. Moreover, various researches and scientific studies have shown that breastfeeding is highly beneficial for your health too.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Baby

Let us look at some of the key benefits of breastfeeding for the baby:

Protects the Baby from Several Illnesses

According to the medical experts at the top pharma companies in India, breastfeeding can protect a baby from various illnesses. Studies have shown that breastfed babies are less prone to suffering from respiratory illnesses, meningitis, and ear infections. Moreover, it has been seen that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months are best protected from illnesses.

Protects the Baby from Allergies

Medical experts believe that breastfed babies are less vulnerable to allergies, inflammation, and other health problems. This is because breast milk contains exclusive immune-boosting factors like secretory IgA that provide a layer of protection to the baby’s intestinal tract and help in preventing food allergies.

May Protect your Baby from Obesity

Many pediatricians claim breastfeeding to be an effective way to reduce a baby’s risk of becoming overweight or obese during teenage years or as an adult. According to medical experts, breast milk can protect a child from obesity in the following ways:

• Breast milk has a lesser percentage of insulin than formula milk which reduces the amount of fat in a baby’s body.
• Research suggests that babies who are breastfed have more leptin in their system which helps in better regulation of their appetite and fat.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers

Apart from playing a key role in a child’s growth, breastfeeding is also known to offer innumerable advantages for the mothers. Some of the major benefits of breastfeeding for mothers include:

Lower Risk of Postpartum Depression

Various researches show that women who left breastfeeding early on or didn’t breastfeed at all are at a greater risk of developing postpartum depression. The medical experts at the Indian pharma companies claim that breastfeeding triggers the release of the oxytocin hormone which promotes the feeling of relaxation in women. Besides, this also helps the woman’s uterus to contract after childbirth which results in less postpartum bleeding.

May Reduce the Risk of Certain Cancers

Several scientific studies claim that breastfeeding may reduce a mother’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Medical experts say that breastfeeding leads to structural changes in the breast tissue which can help in reducing the risk of these cancers. Moreover, lactation is known to suppress the estrogen levels in the body which can be a reason for the lower risk of ovarian cancer.

Breastfeeding offers innumerable health benefits for the mother as well as the child. However, while breastfeeding is a natural process, it can also be a difficult one at times. So if you’re facing any problem in breastfeeding your child, visit a doctor at the earliest.