IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING

Why is breast milk crucial in those first few months of life?

Experts suggest the antibodies in a woman's breast milk can help build her baby's immunity against infections in infancy and beyond. There are lots of benefits of breastfeeding to a newborn baby's health.

What is the importance of breast milk? 

Breast milk is easily digested, readily available, and is often the best for a baby's needs for fighting infections and other conditions. That is why parents should hold off until the baby is 9 to 12 months before introducing baby food or milk formula. 

Though most babies can digest baby milk formula, every baby has different tolerability; in such cases, mothers must search to find the right type. Also, milk formulae use the same ingredients for every baby. In contrast, a mother's breast milk is specific to her infant alone.

Milk formula is suitable only when the mother has various personal or medical reasons, such as a low milk supply or the challenges of pumping at work. 

Benefits of breastfeeding

Experts consider breast milk the gold standard of nutrition because it contains unique nutrients, hormones, antibodies, enzymes, and live cells. 
Hence, the American Academy of Paediatrics and others recommend that mothers exclusively breastfeed newborns for the first six months of their lives. Post that, mothers can continue breastfeeding the baby for up to 1 year with food to allow the child to transition.
Breastfeeding is beneficial to both mothers and babies. Studies state that breastfed infants are less prone to asthma, ear and respiratory infections, SIDS, obesity, and diabetes.  
In the case of mothers, breastfeeding lowers the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage and menstruation bleeding, promotes a faster return to pre-pregnancy weight, and reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
There is no argument that breastfeeding is not the nutritional gold standard. There are now women who cannot breastfeed or prefer not to breastfeed, and formula food is a safer and healthier alternative in these cases.
Baby formula has been prevalent since the 1920s, and it has changed through time to match the content and performance of breast milk. However, because it lacks the antibodies, it will never be able to match breast milk exactly. However, formula manufacturers adhere to FDA nutrient guidelines for their protein, carbohydrate, vitamin, mineral, water, and fat composition. 

Risks of not breastfeeding

The mother's choice or inability (due to medical reasons) to breastfeed the baby poses risks to both.
Babies who are not breastfed are more likely to get ill and could die from infections, such as gastrointestinal and chest infections. 
Although they can be formula-fed, they might be underweight and not grow well. It is especially the case if they live in poor circumstances. Alternatively, they might be overweight and have heart problems later in life if they live in prosperous circumstances.
Mothers who don't breastfeed are more likely to develop anaemia. They are also more likely to develop breast cancer or hip fractures later in life. She might also face difficulties in losing the weight gained during pregnancy. It will increase the likelihood of obesity in later life.   

Importance of Nutrition During Lactation

Breastfeeding mothers should keep in mind the importance of nutrition during lactation. They need extra calories while breastfeeding because it burns about 500 calories daily, which demands more from the mother physically. It is advisable to consume excess calories each day until it is time to stop breastfeeding. 
The lactation of breast milk is so important to be nutritious because this is the only way a baby gets its nutrition for the first six months till it shifts to eating. The mother's appetite and eating should be taken care of for regular lactation, and the baby should be fed breast milk after every interval.
For some new mothers, breastfeeding will be easy. But, for others, it may be hard to feed the infant correctly. The best way to deal with breastfeeding challenges is to know when to ask for help. 

How long should a mother breastfeed her baby?

A mother must exclusively breastfeed the baby for six months. That means no other fluids or foods are necessary because, as you now know, your breast milk is all your baby needs. 
After your baby is six months old, you can introduce baby food, but remember breast milk continues to be advantageous. You may safely breastfeed until two years of age. 

How to breastfeed?

Firstly, motherhood does not come with a handbook. There is no right or wrong answer. It is on-the-job training, a process that you have to allow your body to figure out.  Secondly, every baby is different. Just because something worked with your first child doesn't mean that it will work with your consequent children. While breastfeeding, you have to be open and willing to learn things, work through the process, and know that you are doing the best job for your new baby. Mothers struggling with breastfeeding can seek guidance from a lactation consultant at the hospital. The person will assist you in breastfeeding your baby.   

Conclusion

Each mother's milk is unique and suited for her own baby. Lactation breast milk changes from month-to-month day to day and feed-to-feed to meet the baby's needs. Breast milk is the easiest for babies to digest. In addition, the mother passes on immune protective antibodies through her milk, which protects the child against infections. 
Breastfeeding is free, nourishing, convenient, and protects the baby against illness. Mothers need to know that their body made their babies and their breast milk is the best for them.
Look at Wellness Forever for more articles and tips.