Opinion | Why Breastfeed: Benefits For you and your Baby 

Breastfeeding has several benefits. Benefits not only for mothers, babies, but also helps society. Let’s know how Breastfeeding helping in building a healthy community.

Mothers milk not only contains the vital nutrients and vitamins, it is full of immunoglobulins that protect babies against several diseases. Breastfeeding immediately after birth is important because new-borns have immature immune system. This is why Breastfeeding is also called “the first vaccine’.

The mothers milk has the right balance of nutrients, such as proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals needed by the little one. It’s easily digestible and doesn’t typically cause constipation, diarrhoea or digestive problems. Also the breast milk composition and volume slowly adapt itself to meet the baby’s changing feeding needs, so you won’t have to worry about how much needs to be fed.
Colostrum the first milk that your body produces for the baby is rich in antibodies and other immune properties that protect your babies digestive system. It is seen that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months have fewer infections and diseases such as diarrhoea and vomiting, middle ear infection, respiratory infection and type 1& type 2 diabetes.
Babies who are breastfed typically have a healthier weight gain and are less likely to become overweight when they grow. It is easier to digest and changes from feed to feed to suit each baby’s unique needs, making it the ideal food to promote healthy growth and development.

Benefits of Breastfeeding For the Mother

Breastfeeding helps burn calories and may help lose pregnancy weight faster. This is noticeable typically after 3 months of delivery.

• The hormone helps in uterine contractions and reduces bleeding, thus helping the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size.
Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of many diseases such as breast and ovarian cancer, and even reduces the risk of post-partum depression.
Breastfeeding is an economical choice because you won’t need to spend time and money on buying and also decreases the mother’s workload like measuring, formulas, sterilising and warming . Breast milk is always available. This makes travel comfortable, mothers never run out of stock.

Emotional advantage :
Breastfeeding promotes bonding and a close relationship between mother and child. It also promotes better social and emotional development of the child. The benefits of Breastfeeding go beyond just having a positive impact for the mother and the family. Breastfeeding results in savings more money during the 1st year. Infants with lower illnesses result in lower health care costs. Healthier babies mean fewer sick days for parents. And healthy babies make a healthy nation.
Breast milk is the best food to help your baby grow and develop. It is custom-made by each mother for her own baby. Breast milk has the perfect amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, and is easy to digest.

Ask for breastfeeding information and support
Learning to breastfeed can take time and patience. It is a skill that mother and baby learn together. Do not give up! There are many people and groups that can help you, including: family members and friends who have breastfed health care providers (nurse, doctor or midwife) lactation consultants.

(About Writer : Dr Shagufta Kazi is Lamaze international Lactation Counselor and is working in JK Govt health Sector as medical Officer)