The WHO suggests breastfeeding a baby for up to 6 months and continuing it after complementary feeding if possible for up to 2 years. Due to its unique contents, breast milk can protect a kid from diseases and contributes to the formation of its immunity. Breastfeeding is good for a child and has a beneficial effect on the mother’s health.
Every mother’s breast milk is ideal for her baby. Its contents are constantly changing following the needs of a child and the peculiarities of the functioning of the digestive system. It gives a baby the very best start in life. In addition to providing a child with the energy and nutrition it needs, mother’s milk strengthens a child’s natural defenses. So if you’re planning to sustain breastfeeding but you’re dealing with a low milk supply, you can see this website. Here are the main reasons why breastfeeding is the best option for a baby:
- breast milk is easily digested by a baby and contains the antibodies needed to support the baby’s growing immune system
- it protects a kid from respiratory and ear infections, as well as certain types of allergies such as asthma and eczema
- it contains nutrients called prebiotic oligosaccharides – these bacteria help fight off bad microorganisms and potential infections, helping a child grow up happy and healthy
- mother’s milk has fatty acids for brain development.
Long-term benefits of breastfeeding
As mentioned above, it is not only beneficial during the first six months. The longer a baby gets breast milk, the more health benefits it will receive. With each feeding, the level of oxytocin in the blood (the hormone of love) is increased both in a mother and a child thus contributing to the formation and maintenance of an emotional connection between them. Research also shows that children who are breastfed are less likely to have cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, they have sharper eyesight and straighter teeth. What’s more, breastfeeding reduces the child’s risk of obesity and diabetes in adulthood.
Sometimes mothers think that breast milk is no longer so important if a baby begins to eat solid foods, but in reality, no matter how many months a kid is, there is nothing better for it than breast milk. That is why, when introducing a varied weaning diet to a baby, you can try to mix cereals and porridge with the milk formula e.g. with HiPP Anti-Reflux. Thanks to its acid reflux contents which can relieve any discomfort in babies’ stomachs and help in digestion, you can expect a smoother introduction of different products.
Benefits of breastfeeding for baby sleep
You may have heard that bottle-fed babies sleep better. However, research proves this is just a myth. Breastfed babies fall asleep faster. Oxytocin, which is produced when sucking, puts a baby to sleep while nucleotides and hormones in breast milk promote healthy circadian rhythms (sleep patterns).
Breast milk for health and brain development
Mother’s milk not only nourishes a baby but also protects it. It contains many living ingredients, including stem cells, white blood cells, and beneficial bacteria, as well as other biologically active ingredients such as antibodies, enzymes, and hormones. This way, breast milk helps the organism fight infections, prevents disease, and promotes healthy development. The benefits of breastfeeding are not limited to nutrition. When a baby is upset or not feeling well, breastfeeding is calming, which is also a very important benefit.
During the first six months of life, a child’s brain grows rapidly, and during this important period, its mass almost doubles. According to American experts, toddlers and preschool children who are breastfed for at least three months, have 20-30% higher content of white matter compared to bottle-fed children.