Nutritionally speaking, there’s no better way to feed your child other than giving them breast milk. It’s specially made by every mom to exactly suit their baby’s nutrient needs and demands. Plus, it’s made with easily digestible and immunity building properties which makes it every expert’s recommended source of nutrition from a baby’s birth up to 6 months.
But did you know that the benefits of breastfeeding extend more than it being food? What’s truly amazing about breast milk is that it offers advantages for both the mother and the child! Take a look at the initial and long-term benefits you and your child can enjoy from breastfeeding!
Benefits of Breastfeeding For Baby
Immunity and Laxative Benefits of Colostrum
The first yellowish and thick milk that leaks out from your breast is the precious flow called colostrum. Many experts even coined it as the “liquid gold” because of its many positive health benefits for your child.
- Immunity-building. It acts as a protective layer that coats your baby’s intestines and Colostrum also contains powerful antibodies and white blood cells that strengthen your baby’s immune system and prevents inflammation.
- Laxative effect. Ever wonder why your baby’s first poops had a weird color? This is the meconium, a sticky tar-like substance made from mucus and amniotic fluid. Colostrum, with its effective laxative properties, helps clear out meconium and lowers your baby’s risk of having jaundice post-birth.
Baby’s Initial Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Reduced risk for ear infections. Studies have shown that breastfed babies have a 50% less chance of having middle ear infections.
- Protection from respiratory infections. Babies that were fed exclusively on breastmilk have a 72% lower risk of getting sick with respiratory tract infections and like colds or sore throats.
- Beats gastrointestinal diseases and infections. Babies are born with weak guts, but breast milk can provide immediate immunity to protect their intestines. Breastfed babies have a 50% reduced risk of contracting gut infections, inflammatory bowel disease, and even celiacs disease.
- Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding helps boost a baby’s brain development which promotes better and safer sleep.
- Less likely to have skin and allergic diseases. Breastfeeding has been linked to a baby’s lowered risk of having dermatitis, eczema, or asthma.
Baby’s Long-term Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Prevents the most common chronic diseases. Current evidence suggests that breast milk can prevent chronic illnesses like heart disease, digestive disease, and diabetes later in life.
- Maintain normal healthy weights. Over time, breastfed babies have shown better appetite and weight control which they greatly benefit from when they are older.
- Higher IQs. One study from Brazil explored the long-term cognitive benefits of breastfeeding and it showed that breastfed babies are linked to better intelligence and academic standing.
Benefits of Breastfeeding For Mom
Celebrate, mommyz! Not only is your baby fed well with breastfeeding, but even you can also enjoy the much-deserved benefits from nursing your own child. Here are the maternal advantages of breastfeeding:
- Helps with postpartum weight loss
- Lower risk for postpartum depression
- Acts as a natural (but not fail-proof) form of contraception
- Saves you a lot of money
- Reduces risk for ovarian and breast cancer
- Fight chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
- Prevents osteoporosis
Knowing these benefits can truly be the best motivating factor to continue breastfeeding. Learn more about the positive effects of extended breastfeeding on our blog!
