Overview of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby

Breastfeeding your baby is best for baby and best for you!  I am sure that if you are pregnant that is a statement that is very familiar to you.  Breast milk is without question the perfect foodstuff for your baby and not only that breastfeeding helps with the bonding process between Mum and baby.

About 2 to 3 days following the birth of your baby the new mum produces a dense yellow milk called Colostrum which is the perfect food for a newborn baby.

Breast milk consists of above 200 components which cannot be synthetically produced. Among these components there are healthy proteins, carbs, nutritional vitamins, fats, minerals, digestive enzymes, antibodies, leukocytes and so much more. Some of them boost the body’s immune system so much so that colostrum is considered as a newborn babies first vaccination!    Research also indicate that breastfeeding cuts down on the likelihood of cot death and can lessen the risk of diabetes as well as lowering ear infections when the kid gets older.

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The fat contained in breast milk gives a significant supply of necessary calories for optimum growth and development of the newborn’s brain and neurological system. It also provides the enzyme lipase that helps the baby process fat. Breast milk also  contains polyunsaturated essential fatty acids including omega-3 fatty acids for fast development of eye cells linked to enhanced vision.

A carb sort of lactose in breast milk also referred to milk sugar, stimulates significant supplies of calories. Lactose enhances absorption of a number of minerals such as calcium. It also provides the healthy bacteria which helps the babies digestive system.  This helps protect your  newborn from diarrhoea.

As a nursing mum there is no need to stop breastfeeding when you are sick. The body will actually produce antibodies against the illness you have so there is a better chance your child will stay healthy. You can see at times that everybody at home becomes sick apart from your nursed baby!

Nursing a baby has gains for the mum too. Besides the weight loss rewards mentioned in losing weight while breastfeeding and our breastfeeding diet article it is a crucial part of how women’s bodies get over pregnancy.

When breastfeeding your body produces the hormone oxyctocin which helps to contract your womb.

Scientists at the Pittsburgh University discovered that breastfeeding safeguards women from cardiovascular disease, cardiac arrest and stroke. Mothers who breastfeed for over a year  lower the probability of suffering cardiac arrest by 20%. Just one month of breastfeeding your baby can reduce the possibility of several health problems. Mums that do not breastfeed have a greater risk of developing  ovarian and breast cancer.

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