Jakarta –
Breastfeeding is a fun activity for the mother, as well as providing benefits for the baby. Yes, breast milk or we are more familiar with it as ABOUT has a myriad of benefits that are infinite.
Breast milk is the best food that should be given to babies because it contains almost all the nutrients your little one needs. Like when he was in the womb, breastfeeding is necessary when the child first breathes the air in the world.
The nutritional needs of infants, namely up to 6 months of age, can be met only by giving breast milk. According to Donnay Murray, a certified nurse, requires breastfeeding to be started from the first day of life or before the age of 6 months, Mother.
“Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life followed by the addition of solid food plus breast milk until the age of 2 years,” Murray said as quoted from the website. Very Well Family.
Benefits of breast milk for babies
There are several benefits of breast milk, good for babies. Even the world health organization recommends mothers to breastfeed as early as possible. Quoting Healthline as for some of the benefits of breast milk including.
|
Benefits of breast milk for babies / Photo: iStock- – |
1. Breast milk provides ideal nutrition for babies
Most health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months or more.
Breast milk contains everything a baby needs for the first 6 months of life, in the right proportions. The composition even changes according to the baby’s needs, especially during the first month of life.
During the first days after birth, your breasts produce a thick, yellowish discharge called colostrum. It’s high in protein, low in sugar, and loaded with beneficial compounds. It is truly an extraordinary meal and cannot be replaced by formula.
Colostrum is the ideal first milk and helps the development of the digestive tract of an immature baby. After the first few days, the breasts start to produce more milk as the baby’s stomach grows.
2. Breast milk contains important antibodies
Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help babies fight viruses and bacteria, which provide high amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA), as well as several other antibodies.
IgA protects babies from getting sick by forming a protective coating on the baby’s nose, throat, and digestive system. There have been many studies showing that babies who are not breastfed are more susceptible to health problems such as pneumonia, diarrhea and infections.
3. Reducing the risk of disease
Exclusive breastfeeding has benefits to reduce the risk of disease in infants.
Some of the diseases include, including:
- Middle ear infection : Breastfeeding, especially exclusively and for as long as possible, can protect against middle ear, throat, and sinus infections.
- Respiratory tract infection : Breastfeeding protects against many acute respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.
- Colds and infections : Babies who are exclusively breastfed for 6 months have a lower risk of getting colds and ear or throat infections.
- Intestinal infections : Breastfeeding is associated with a reduction in intestinal infections.
- Intestinal tissue damage : Feeding premature babies with breast milk is associated with a reduced incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis or inflammation that occurs in the colon or small intestine of the baby
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) : Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS, especially when breastfeeding exclusively.
- Allergic disease : Can reduce the risk of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and eczema.
- Intestinal disease : Babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Diabetes : Reducing the risk of developing type 1 diabetes and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2).
- Leukemia : Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of childhood leukemia.
4. Breast milk increases the baby’s weight
Breast milk promotes a healthy body weight and helps prevent obesity in babies. A study shows that breastfeeding for more than 4 months has a significant reduction in overweight and obesity.
Breastfed babies also have more leptin than formula-fed babies. Leptin is a key hormone for regulating appetite and fat storage.
Breastfed babies also regulate their own intake of milk. They are better at eating only until they satisfy their hunger, which helps them develop healthy eating patterns.
5. Breast milk can make him smarter
Several studies have shown differences in brain development between breast-fed and formula-fed babies. This difference may be due to the physical intimacy, touch, and eye contact associated with breastfeeding and its nutritional properties.
Studies show that babies who are breastfed have higher intelligence scores and are less likely to develop behavioral problems to have learning difficulties as they age.
The research clearly shows that breastfeeding has a significant positive effect on the baby’s long-term brain development.
(summer / summer)
– .
