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Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to feed your baby. Not only does it help your baby get the nutrition it needs, it also promotes a strong bond between you and your baby. Moreover, it is beneficial for your health, as you’ll be able to reduce your risk of developing sudden infant death syndrome.
Breast milk is nature’s perfect food
Breast milk is nature’s perfect food, providing a balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. It also contains many protective substances that help protect your child from disease. It provides all the nutrients your baby needs during the first year of life. And because it is 88% water, it more than satisfies your baby’s thirst.
Breast milk contains up to five million white blood cells and probiotic bacteria that help your child develop his immune system. These cells pass through the digestive tract of your baby and migrate to organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. They also circulate in deep tissue. These immune fighters will help protect your baby from infection in the first six weeks of life. Your baby will receive these nutrients from your milk, so it is crucial that you give your baby breast milk in the first few weeks.
Breast milk is the perfect personalized food for your baby. As your baby grows, breast milk adapts to meet the needs of your child. It has different nutritional components for a premature baby than for a full-term newborn.
It helps mother and baby bond
Breastfeeding is a healthy way for moms and babies to bond. It releases hormones that increase mom’s oxytocin levels and promotes mothering behaviors. Plus, the close contact between mother and baby is comforting and soothing for both. Here are four ways breastfeeding helps moms and babies bond:
In the first stage of breastfeeding, the mother will feel close to her infant. She will notice a big difference in the baby’s skin tone. Mothers who breastfeed their infants have fewer problems with sleep and mood, and sleep is more likely to be restful and peaceful. The mother’s breast milk contains a high amount of protein, and will help her baby stay healthy.
The mother and baby bonding process will vary for each parent. Some bonds will develop quickly, while others will develop over time. The best time for this to happen is within the first few months after the baby is brought home. If bonding is not progressing after a few months, parents should seek medical advice.
Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes bonding between mum and baby. Breastmilk’s scent calms a baby, and skin-to-skin contact is considered a baby’s first language. Facial expressions also communicate feelings of love, and babies will often copy facial expressions from their mother.
It reduces risk of sudden infant death syndrome
A recent meta-analysis suggests that breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The authors of the study examined more than 280 studies and found that breastfeeding was associated with a 60 percent reduced risk of SIDS. Among the infants who were exclusively breastfed, the protective effect was even greater. The duration of breastfeeding also impacted the risk of SIDS. For these reasons, researchers concluded that breastfeeding was the best option for infants.
The risk of SIDS decreases with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. The risk is dose-responsive, meaning that the longer a mother breastfeeds, the lower her child’s risk of developing the condition. This means that a mother should continue breastfeeding through the age of six months to maximize the benefits of breastfeeding.
The evidence supporting the association between breastfeeding and SIDS is not clear. The results of the studies vary, and there are many potential confounders. Some of these include smoking status, head covering, and socioeconomic status. This means that no single factor can completely explain the association. Further, the researchers are not sure exactly how breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS, or exactly why breastfeeding reduces the risk.
It helps you lose weight
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to lose weight after pregnancy. The body uses up stored fat to make milk, which burns hundreds of calories each day. The process of producing milk burns between 500 and 700 calories per day. Breastfeeding can be difficult, so it’s important to eat a balanced diet that’s high in vitamins and minerals.
Breastfeeding moms lose about 1 pound per week, or 4 pounds a month. But this amount varies with the type of breastfeeding, physical activity, and pregnancy. Ideally, a breastfeeding mom should lose about half a kilogram a week, and within a month she should return to her pre-pregnancy weight.
There are several studies that suggest that breastfeeding is beneficial for losing weight after pregnancy. For example, a study found that women who breastfed for a full 12 weeks had lower body fat percentages five years after giving birth. And ten years after giving birth, women who exclusively breastfed for more than 12 weeks were 7.5 pounds lighter, or 3.4 kg lighter than those who did not breastfeed for that long.
Breastfeeding helps you lose weight by burning calories and promoting a healthier diet. Breastfeeding mothers should exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes per day to maintain a healthy weight. However, it’s important to make sure you replace any fluids that you lose during exercise. A good rule of thumb is to pump or nurse before working out.
It boosts baby’s immune system
Breast milk contains antibodies that help build a baby’s immune system. These antibodies can protect against illnesses, and they help your baby recover faster after an illness. Breastfed babies have lower rates of ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, and certain types of meningitis. They’re also less likely to develop childhood lymphoma. In addition, disruptions to the immune system are known to increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
Breast milk contains specific sugars and fats that help your baby’s immune system. These sugars and fats help fight off infection. They also contain white blood cells that help your baby stay healthy. Moreover, breast milk contains certain immune-boosting substances such as lactoferrin and interleukin-6, -8, and -10. This means your baby’s immune system will stay strong and protected.
The immune-boosting benefits of breastfeeding extend throughout the duration of breastfeeding. The antibodies mum passes on to her baby from the breast remain in the breast milk, providing protection for the child. Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience for both you and your baby. However, if you’re having any difficulty, it’s a good idea to seek a lactation consultant.
It reduces risk of obesity
Previous studies have suggested that breastfeeding reduces the risk of childhood obesity, but the results are inconsistent. Obesity is a complex disorder with multiple risk factors, including diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Other variables, such as the mother’s history of gestational diabetes or hypertension, birth weight, and sedentary behavior, may also confound the association. Furthermore, few studies have attempted to account for multiple factors at the same time.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity in children by as much as 25%. Combined with other measures, breastfeeding helps children develop healthy eating habits and maintain a healthy weight in childhood and adulthood. In addition, breastfeeding is beneficial to mothers, since it burns off up to 500 calories each day.
The WHO recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months. However, this rate can vary widely from country to country. For example, 46% of Irish women do not breastfeed at all and 34% of French mothers do not breastfeed at all. The WHO’s Childhood Obesity Surveillance initiative (WHO-COPOS) program collects data on the prevalence of childhood obesity in 40 countries, including the UK.
In recent decades, the incidence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically. It is now one of the most pressing public health concerns of the 21st century. Moreover, it is associated with many short and long-term risks. In the United States, obesity is an epidemic. Many studies have found that breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity in children.
It reduces risk of chronic diseases
Studies have found that breastfeeding decreases the risk of chronic diseases in both mothers and children. Mothers who breastfeed for more than a year have a 12% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease and a 14% lower risk of strokes. The reduced risk is independent of age and previous pregnancies.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) found that women who breastfeed are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease and die from cardiovascular disease than women who do not breastfeed. The researchers examined more than a million patients and found that those who breastfed had a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and fatal heart problems.
In addition to protecting infants from infection, breastfeeding promotes a close bond between mother and child. However, fewer people are aware of the potential benefits of breastfeeding. This is the purpose of today’s World Breastfeeding Week, which was launched in China today. UNICEF Ambassador Yang Lan attended the event.
