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Breastfeeding is the natural way of feeding a baby, and it is a
most rewarding experience for both mother and baby. The early days
are a learning period; and, with the correct support and information
at this time, most women breastfeed successfully.
The Benefits of Breastfeeding:
- Breastmilk is “species-specific” which means that
it is the very best milk for human babies.
- Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for at
least the first six months of life and continues to be an important
part of his/her diet throughout the first few years (as long as
both are happy to continue with breastfeeding), until weaning occurs
at a mutually convenient time.
- The colostrum your baby receives, and the breastmilk that follows,
contains a range of protective factors that help to increase
your baby’s
resistance to infection.
- Research shows that breastfed babies have the potential for
a higher intelligence becausebreastmilk contains the fatty acids
important in brain development. Lactose is also
important for brain development. Human milk has
the highest levels of lactose of all the
mammalian milks because humans have the biggest
brains. The baby’s brain keeps
developing well into the second year.
- Because babies feed from both breasts, they receive visual
and tactile stimulation during feeds on alternate sides. This
helps brain development in the area of left or right
hemispherical dominance.
- Ensuring that your baby has only breastmilk for at least six
months may help lessen allergyproblems. It is especially helpful
if the mother avoids any known familial allergens in the
diet until this time and then gradually reintroduces
them as the baby gets closer to one year
old. In this way, the baby is sensitised in a gradual
manner through the breastmilk and may then be free from
the symptoms of allergy.
- Infants’ eyesight, speech and jaw development are all
known to be enhanced by breastfeeding.
- Breastfed babies have a higher resistance to disease and are
less likely to become sick.
- Breastfeeding is one of the recommendations for lowering the
risk of SIDS.
- Breastfeeding may lower the risk of your baby developing juvenile
diabetes in the future. It may also reduce the risk of heart
disease.
- Breastfeeding helps a mother’s body return to its pre-pregnant
state more quickly. Many women also find they lose excess
weight while breastfeeding.
- Ongoing research is showing that breastfeeding may lessen the
incidence of cancer of the breast and ovaries, heart disease
and osteoporosis in the mother.
- Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation in most women.
Breastfeeding’s contraceptive effect can delay the return
of fertility in most women.
- Breastfeeding is usually easy and convenient (you always have
a free hand). Breastfed babies are very portable and you
have an instant, safe, pre-warmed, ready-to-serve food wherever
you go.
- As a totally sustainable resource, breastfeeding is also
good for the environment.
Breastfeeding problems and possible solutions are discussed further
in the PDF - see the download link below.
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