Feeding the new born baby with mother’s milk is the best nutrition and protection from illness for the new born baby. Besides containing all the vitamins and vital nutrients that the baby needs in the first six months after birth, breast milk is a boon for the baby. Not only for the baby, breastfeeding is beneficial to the new mother as well.
Here is a list of the benefits of breastfeeding for the new born baby and the new mother:
Popularly known as liquid gold, colostrum is that thick yellow first breast milk that is extremely rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect the baby.
Breast milk is easier to digest for most of the babies especially, the premature babies.
Breast milk is always safe, fresh and exactly at the right temperature for the baby to consume.
Breast milk helps fight diseases such as low respiratory infections, asthma, obesity, type 1 & type 2 diabetes etc.
Breastfeeding can protect the baby from developing allergies.
It may even protect the baby from obesity as breastfed babies are better at eating until their hunger is satisfied, thus leading to a healthier eating pattern as and when they grow.
Besides acting as a boon for the baby, breastfeeding can be good for the mother’s health as it is linked to a lower risk of health problems in women such as type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer etc.
It also helps the mother to reduce the stress level thus reducing the risks of postpartum depression.
Feeding the baby with breast milk may boost child’s intelligence by helping in cognitive development of the baby.
Breastfeeding may also help to lower baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Thus, the new mothers should make sure that their babies are breast fed whenever they cry.