It’s a good idea to nurse your baby if you’re able. Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies. It has the right amount of nutrients and is easily digested.
If you have been considering not breastfeeding your new baby exclusively, you are probably inundated with information. It’s a personal decision only you can make, but the benefits can never be overemphasised.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and continuing even after solid foods are introduced, until at least age one year or until both mother and child stop.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding until two years old or longer because the benefits continue as long as that . These health agencies recommend breastfeeding as early as one hour after the birth of a baby for the biggest benefits.
If you just need reassurance that breast milk is the right choice for you, the benefits are enormous to both mother and child.
These recommendations may not be easy but important.
The science-based benefits of breastfeeding are amazing for you and for your baby.
Breast milk provides ideal nutrition for babies.
Most healthcare professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months or much longer.
Breast milk contains everything baby needs for the first six months of life, in all the right proportions. Its composition even changes according to the baby’s changing needs, especially during the first month of life.
During the first days after birth, the mother’s breasts produce a thick and yellowish fluid called colostrum. It’s high in protein, low in sugar, and loaded with beneficial compounds. It’s truly a wonder food and not replaceable by formula of baby food.
Colostrum is the ideal first milk and helps the newborn’s immature digestive tract develop. After the first few days, the breasts start producing larger amounts of milk as the baby’s stomach grows.
About the only thing that may be lacking from the mother’s magical milk supply is vitamin D.
Unless you have a very high intake, your breast milk won’t provide enough. Vitamin D drops are usually recommended.
Breast milk contains important antibodies.
Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help the mother’s baby fight off viruses and bacteria, which is critical in the tender and early months.
This particularly applies to colostrum, the first milk. Colostrum provides high amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA), as well as several other antibodies.
When you’re exposed to viruses or bacteria, you start producing antibodies that then go into the milk. It’s immunity, baby!
IgA protects the baby from getting sick by forming a protective layer in the baby’s nose, throat, and digestive system.
Formula does not provide antibody protection for babies. Medical reports show that babies who are not breastfed are more vulnerable to health issues like pneumonia, diarrhea and infection.
Breastfeeding may reduce disease risk.
It may reduce your baby’s risk for many illnesses and diseases, including: middle ear infections. Breastfeeding, particularly exclusively and as long as possible, may protect against middle ear, throat, and sinus infections.
Respiratory tract infections. Breastfeeding can protect against multiple respiratory and gastrointestinal acute illnesses.
Colds and infections. Babies exclusively breastfed for six months may have a lower risk of getting serious colds and ear or throat infections.
Gut infections. Breastfeeding is linked with a reduction in gut infections.
Intestinal tissue damage. Feeding preterm babies breast milk is linked with a reduction in the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of SIDS, especially when breastfeeding exclusively.
Allergic diseases. Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and eczema.
Bowel diseases. Babies who are exclusively breastfed may be less likely to develop Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diabete Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of developing type 1 diabetes and non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes.
Childhood leukemia. Breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in the risk for childhood leukemia.
Breast milk promotes baby’s healthy weight.
Breastfeeding promotes healthy weight gain and helps prevent childhood obesity.
Reports reveal that breastfeeding for longer than four months has a significant reduction in the chances of a baby developing overweight and obesity.
This may be due to the development of different gut bacteria. Breastfed babies have higher amounts of beneficial gut bacteria, which may affect fat storage.
Babies fed with breast milk also have more leptin in their systems than formula-fed babies. Leptin is a key hormone for regulating appetite and fat storage.
Breastfed babies also self-regulate their milk intake. They’re better at eating only until they’ve satisfied their hunger, which helps them develop healthy eating patterns.
Breastfeeding may make children smarter.
Breastfeeding may help baby ace those tests. Some studies suggest there may be a difference in brain development between breastfed and formula-fed babies.
This difference may be due to the physical intimacy, touch, and eye contact associated with breastfeeding as well as nutrient content.
Reports indicate that breastfed babies have higher intelligence scores and are less likely to develop behavioral problems or have learning difficulties as they grow older.
However, the most pronounced effects are seen in preterm babies, who have a higher risk for developmental issues.
Medical research clearly shows that exclusive breastfeeding has significant positive effects on babies’ long-term brain development.
Breastfeeding benefits for mothers are so rich and rewarding.
Breastfeeding may help a mother lose weight.
This information has always been said at the antinatal class and other medical seminars. While some women seem to gain weight during breastfeeding, others want to lose weight.
Breastfeeding does burn more calories and after three months of lactation, a mother will likely experience an increase in fat burning compared to non-lactating mothers. Though the difference is not clear.
Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract.
During pregnancy, mothers uterus grows immensely, expanding from the size of a pear to filling almost the entire space of the abdomen.
After delivery, the uterus goes through a process called involution, which helps it return to its previous size. Oxytocin, a hormone that increases throughout pregnancy, helps drive the process.
The womans body secretes high amounts of oxytocin during labour to help deliver the baby and reduce bleeding. It can also help the mother to bond with the new born.
Oxytocin also increases during breastfeeding. It encourages uterine contractions and reduces bleeding, helping the uterus return to its previous size.
Studies have also shown that mothers who breastfeed generally have less blood loss after delivery and faster involution of the uterus.
Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk for depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that can develop shortly after childbirth.
Women who breastfeed are less likely to develop postpartum depression, compared to mothers who wean early or do not breastfeed, according to a medical study.
However, those who experience postpartum depression early after delivery are also more likely to have trouble breastfeeding and do so for a shorter duration.
If a woman has any symptoms of PPD, it is important for a mother to report to her doctor as soon as possible.
Breastfeeding reduces your disease risk.
Breastfeeding seems to provide you with long-term protection against cancer and several diseases.
The total time a woman spends breastfeeding is linked with a reduced risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
Women who breastfeed have a lower risk of high blood pressure, arthritis, high blood, fats, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, etc.
Breastfeeding may prevent menstruation
Continued breastfeeding also pauses ovulation and menstruation. The suspension of menstrual cycles may actually be nature’s way of ensuring there is some time between pregnancies.
You may consider this change as an extra benefit. While a mother is enjoying precious time with her newborn, it’s just one less thing to worry about.
It saves time and money.
To top the list, breastfeeding is mostly free, barring expenses for any lactation consulting and breast pumps. By choosing to breastfeed, you won’t have to spend money on formula. If you calculate how much your baby needs to drink daily, spend time cleaning and sterilising bottles mix and warm up bottles in the middle of the night (or day), figure out ways to warm up bottles while on the go you may discover that breastfeeding is better and cheaper.
Breast milk is always at the right temperature and ready to drink.
Some mothers have always given one flimzy excuse or the other for not feeding babies exclusively, the truth is that exclusive breastfeeding is better than any formula a mother can think of.

Eunice Choko-Kayode With Agency Reports