Motherhood is the most beautiful phase in every woman’s life. As Debra Gilbert Rosenberg said, “New mothers enter the world of parenting feeling much like Alice in Wonderland “, and that is why they are always inquisitive about the development of their newborn.
Breastfeeding has been one of the most important aspects when it comes to nurturing a newborn. For many mothers, breastfeeding may be a reason behind the diminishing beauty of their breasts, but they are hardly aware of the benefits of the same on the health of their little one.
During olden times, when the concept of formula food was not evident, mothers used to breastfeed exclusively till the age of six months or one year for passing complete nourishment to their little ones. In fact, they breastfed even after the age of one, when they started weaning their kids with solid food.
With the invention of formula food, mothers started substituting it with their milk that is considered as the healthiest and most natural form of nourishment for their infants.
Keeping the decreasing rate of breastfeeding in the mind, many breastfeeding promoters started campaigning about the benefits of mother’s milk for their kids and for them too.
The production of milk in the mother’s varies from one woman to another. While some of them produce in sufficient quantities to feed their kids, a lot of them are not able to produce enough milk for their kids and the only alternative they are left with is to feed their little once with formula food. Though, there are many ways to increase the production of breast milk in mothers by focusing on the consumption of high nutrition diet and drinking lots of fluids.
Researches have proven that third world countries have the highest breastfeeding rates around the world. While the developed nations have very low rates of breastfeeding mothers. USA is known to have the highest rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) among the newborns and low rates of breastfeeding become the prime reason behind the growing instances of SIDS.
Breastfeeding benefits for infants
Mother’s milk is the best source of nutrition for infants as it is full of immunoglobulins that help in the formation of a strong immune system in infants. A study has proven that breastfeeding mothers offer a natural protection shield to the newborns that helps them to stay safe from many diseases and viruses. In fact, if you are feeding your child with your milk, you are even protecting him/her from the spurt of epidemics in your country as the strong antibodies produced by mother’s milk work as a vaccine for them.
Colostrum or first milk of mother offers special protection to the infant when exposed to the outside world that is full of bacterias and viruses.
It helps the newborn to pass meconium ( first stool of a human body) with ease.
Undoubtedly, your child will have a better IQ level than the kids, not fortunate enough to be nurtured with mother’s milk.
I remember, when my son was six months old and I wanted to stop breastfeeding and my mom-in-law said that it is a natural way to share a special bond with a child and I must continue with the practice till he turns one year old.
Today, I feel so good for considering her advice as I had a better and more quality time to spend with my son. I used to caress his cheeks and hair throughout the practice and always felt awesome for being the most special person in his life. So, why not encourage this special bond by the means of breastfeeding along with providing a platform for better health to our newborns.
The breastfeeding benefits for the mother are also immense. It helps a mother to regain her pre-pregnancy posture as it activates the pituitary gland that releases Oxytocin that supports the uterus and breasts to contract. Breastfeeding helps a nursing mother to burn more calories and is considered as a healthy exercise. Not only that, but it also reduces the risk of diseases like hypertension, anemia, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer in women.
One of the insignificant benefits of the same is the convenience associated with the practice. When you are taking your kid for an outing, you do not need a bottle feeder that needs proper cleaning after every consecutive feed. Obviously, by saying “NO” to the plastic milk bottle, you are doing a big favor to the environment. Apart from it, carrying a bottle feeder is quite bothersome at times, and there is nothing more relaxing than breastfeeding your newborn baby than preparing meals or milk when exhausted and sleepy.