World breastfeeding week is celebrated from August 1 – 7 every year. The theme for 2018 is “Breastfeeding: Foundation for Life” — a recognition of the importance of breastfeeding for a baby’s future.
Why is it important to breastfeed?
Breast milk is considered the gold standard for infant feeding. A 2008 study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) revealed that exclusive breastfeeding for six months and partial breastfeeding for 12 months can prevent 1.3 million (13%) deaths every year in children under five.
In 2006, a report titled “Early initiation of breastfeeding on the rise in India” stated that early initiation of breastfeeding was found to lower the risk of neonatal mortality by 44%.
Health benefits of breastfeeding
In areas with limited access to food and water, breast milk can act as a safe, nutritious and accessible food for infants and young children and protects them against a wide range of diseases. But still, globally only two in five of all newborns are breastfed within an hour of birth and around 40% kids under six months are exclusively breastfed.
So despite breast milk being the best source of nutrition, the rate of breastfeeding is low across the world. Here are a few reasons why breastfeeding is good for the baby.
1. Breast milk acts as a complete meal
Breast milk contains the right nutrients in the right quantity to meet the baby’s dietary requirement. Moreover, its composition changes as per the baby’s changing needs. For example, during the first few days after birth, the breasts produce thick, yellow fluid, which is known as colostrum. It is high in proteins, low in sugar and loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, which are essential for proper growth and development of the newborn.
2. Breast milk boosts immunity
Breast milk comprises carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, and hormones. It also contains good amounts of antibodies, immune cells such as immunoglobulin A (IgA). When the mother is exposed to infections, she produces antibodies which are then passed onto the baby during feeding, thus improving overall immunity.
3. Breast milk lowers the risk of diseases
Breast milk not only lowers the risk of infections in babies but also reduces the severity. Moreover, these protective effects of breastfeeding tend to last throughout childhood and may even last till adulthood. For example, breastfeeding is linked with a 64% reduction in gut infections. This is because breast milk contains oligosaccharides, compounds which act as probiotics and prebiotics and reduce the incidence and severity of diarrhea in infants.
Breastfeeding can offer protection against a wide range of diseases such as middle ear infection (acute otitis media), gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, asthma (young children), obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome.
4. Breast milk prevents childhood obesity
Breastfeeding can promote healthy weight gain in infants and thus, lower the risk of childhood obesity. And this is proved by numerous research studies, where the obesity rates were 15–30% lower in breastfed babies as compared to those who are fed formula milk. Also, breastfed babies have high leptin content, which is the key hormone that regulates appetite and storage of fats.
5. Breastfeeding can make kids smarter
Several research studies have proved that babies who are breastfed have higher intelligence scores as compared to formula-fed babies. Moreover, it also lowers the risk of developing problems associated with behavior and learning as they grow older.
This could be due to the presence of essential fatty acids such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which are important for regulating cognitive development and motor function in newborns. Also, fats in breast milk supply energy to the brain and thus, aid in the development of the central nervous system (CNS).
How long should a baby be breastfed?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. After six months, weaning with semisolid/solid foods such as mashed fruits and vegetables should be introduced so as to complement breast milk for upto two years. And to enable and sustain exclusive breastfeeding, WHO and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) recommend:
-Mothers should begin breastfeeding within one hour of childbirth.
-Breastfeeding should be on demand (as per the child’s needs, day and night).
-One should avoid the use of bottles or pacifiers.
Recommended Reads:
12 Breast Feeding Facts every mother should know
7 Things That You Must Be Aware Of Breastfeeding
References:
Martin CR, Ling PR, Blackburn GL. Review of Infant Feeding: Key Features of Breast Milk and Infant Formula. Nutrients. 2016 May 11;8(5).
Hoddinott P, Tappin D, Wright C. Breastfeeding. BMJ. 2008 Apr 19;336(7649):881-7.
Breastfeeding. Nutrition. World Health Organization (WHO).
Aguayo VM, Gupta G, Singh G, Kumar R. Early initiation of breastfeeding on the rise in India. BMJ Glob Health. 2016 Sep 21;1(2):e000043.
Quigley MA, Kelly YJ, Sacker A. Breastfeeding and hospitalization for
diarrheal and respiratory infection in the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort
Study. Pediatrics. 2007 Apr;119(4):e837-42.
Ip S, Chung M, Raman G, Trikalinos TA, Lau J. A summary of the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality’s evidence report on breastfeeding in developed
countries. Breastfeed Med. 2009 Oct;4 Suppl 1:S17-30.