The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Both Mom and Baby
Breast milk is the most nutritious source of food for your baby, but breastfeeding also has real benefits for mothers. Here are the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby.
Dr. Ajay Jain
Aug 6, 2019
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There are several studies and surveys that indicate that breastfeeding to a baby helps improve mothers' health, as well as their children's health. From conceiving to childbirth woman grows both physically and emotionally from the relationship she forms with her baby. Just as a woman's breast milk is designed specifically to nourish the body of an infant, the production and delivery of this milk aid her own health in addition to her baby’s health.
Breastfeeding benefits for Baby:-
Breastfed babies have:
- Stronger immune systems
- Less diarrhea, constipation, gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux, and preterm necrotizing enter colitis (NEC)
- Fewer colds and respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough
- Fewer ear infections, especially those that damage hearing
- Fewer case of bacterial meningitis
- Better vision and less retinopathy of prematurity
- Lower rates of infant mortality
- Lower rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Less illness overall and less hospitalization
- Parents have up to six times less absenteeism from work
Breast milk provides nutritional components, antioxidants, enzymes, immune properties, and live antibodies from mother to baby. Mother’s more mature immune system makes antibodies to the germs to which she and her baby have been exposed. These all type of antibodies enters her milk to assist in protecting the baby from various types of disease and infections. Immunoglobulin A coats the lining of the baby’s immature intestines helping germs and allergens from leaking through.
Breastfed babies may become healthier children with:
- Fewer instances of allergies, eczema, and asthma
- Fewer childhood cancers, including leukemia and lymphomas
- Lower risk of type I and II diabetes
- Fewer instances of Crohn’s disease and colitis
- Lower rates of respiratory illness
- Speech and orthodontic problems
- Fewer cavities
- Less likelihood of becoming obese later in childhood
- Improved brain maturation
- Greater immunity to infection
Teens and adults will find benefits for life:
- Less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- Less likely to develop heart disease in adulthood
- Lower risk of multiple sclerosis
- Lower rates of pre- and postmenopausal breast cancers
Breastfeeding benefits for Mother:-
Breastfeeding is healthier for mom physically:
- Support faster weight loss after childbirth, burning about 500 extra calories a day to produce and maintain a milk supply.
- Helps in stimulating the uterus to contract and return to normal size.
- Less postpartum bleeding
- Fewer urinary tract infections
- Less chance of anemia
- Less risk of postpartum depression and a more positive mood
Benefits for life, breastfeeding may result in:
- Lower risk of breast cancer
- Lower risk of ovarian cancer
- Lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- Less endometriosis
- Less osteoporosis with age
- Less diabetes
- Less hypertension decreases blood pressure
- Less cardiovascular disease
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