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1 to 7 August is World Breastfeeding Week
 
The first week of August every year marks world breastfeeding Awareness Week, Supported by WHO, and UNICEF, to ensure child health and survival, at least for infants under 6 months.

What is Breastfeeding?

 
Breastfeeding is more than just a biological function; it’s a journey of love, resilience, and sometimes, a few tears and giggles along the way. Breast milk provides optimal nutrition for babies. It has the right amount of nutrients, is easily digested, and is readily available.

WHO Recommendations for Breastfeeding

 
The World Health Organization recommends promoting breastfeeding to better health for mothers and children alike. and Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years or beyond.

9 Benefits of Breastfeeding for the health of the mother and child

 
Research and studies have shown that breastfeeding has many health benefits for the infant and the mother, including:
 
 Breastfeeding benefits for baby
 
1. Breast milk Promotes the baby’s healthy weight 
Breastfeeding promotes healthy weight gain and helps prevent childhood obesity. One study showed that breastfeeding for longer than 4 months had a significant reduction in the chances of a baby developing overweight and obesity. This may be due to:
*Higher amounts of different gut bacteria, which may affect fat storage.
*Leptin hormone for regulating appetite and fat storage.
 
2. Breast milk provides ideal nutrition for babies 
 
Most healthcare professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months or much longer. Breast milk contains everything a baby needs for the first 6 months of life, in all the right proportions. During the first days after birth, your breasts produce a thick and yellowish fluid called colostrum. After the first few days, the breasts start producing larger amounts of milk as the baby’s stomach grows. and colostrum most important benefits is:
 
*High in protein.
*Low in sugar.
*Helps the newborn’s immature digestive tract develop. 
 
3. Breast milk contains important antibodies 
 
Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria, which is critical in those tender, early months. Colostrum provides high amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA), which protects the baby from getting sick by forming a protective layer in the baby’s nose, throat, and digestive system. Breast milk contains antibodies that protect the infant from:
 
*Resistance to viruses and bacteria.
*Decrease of pneumonia, diarrhea, and infection.

 

4. Breastfeeding may make children smarter 
 
The research clearly shows that breastfeeding has significant positive effects on babies’ long-term brain development.
there may be a difference in brain development between breastfed and formula-fed babies. This difference may be due to:
*the physical intimacy. touch.
*eye contact.
All associated with breastfeeding as well as nutrient content.
 
5. Breastfeeding may reduce disease risk
 
Breastfed babies have a reduced risk for many illnesses and diseases, including:
 
*Respiratory tract infections.
*Middle ear infection.
*asthma.
*Gut infections.
*Colds and infections.
*Intestinal tissue damage.
*Diabetes type 1.
*Childhood leukemia.
*Bowel diseases.
*Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
 
Breastfeeding benefits for Mother
 
6. Breastfeeding may help you lose weight
 
Breastfeeding contributes more calories, and after 3 months of lactation, the rate of fat burning in a nursing mother is likely to increase compared to a non-breastfeeding mother.
 
7. Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract

During pregnancy, the uterus grows exponentially, expanding in size to fill almost the entire abdominal space. After childbirth, the uterus goes through a process called involution, which helps it return to its previous size. Oxytocin, a hormone that increases throughout pregnancy, helps the uterus return to its normal size, as the body secretes large amounts of it during labor to help deliver the baby and reduce bleeding.

8. Breastfeeding mothers are less likely to be depressed

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that can occur shortly after childbirth. According to a study, women who breastfeed are less likely to develop postpartum depression, compared to mothers who wean early or who do not breastfeed.

9. Reduce the risk of disease

Breastfeeding can provide a nursing woman with long-term protection from many diseases, which have been indicated by the National Health Service (NHS), including:

*breast cancer.
*ovarian cancer.
*Osteoporosis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breastfeeding can also help reduce a mother’s risk of:
*high blood pressure.
*Type 2 diabetes.

Breastfeeding for the longest recommended period can provide protection for you and your baby, because breast milk contains antibodies that protect your baby from diseases and chronic diseases. Therefore, be sure to breastfeed your baby to enhance his health and yours.
Sources and references
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/breastfeeding/conditioninfo/benefits
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322819
https://www.healthline.com/health/breastfeeding/11-benefits-of-breastfeeding
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/benefits/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/breastfeeding#facts-and-figures
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