12/07/2022
BREASTFEEDING, THE GOLDEN TRADITION
Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or a young child with breastmilk (through lactation) directly from human
breasts rather than from a baby bottle or other container.
BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
The experience of breastfeeding is special for so many reasons;
o The joyful bonding with your child.
o The cost saving
o Health benefits for both mother and baby.
One way of remembering the advantages of breastfeeding:
B – BONDING
R – READILY AVAILABLE
E – ENOUGH
A – AMOUNT
S – STERILE
T – TEMPERATURE
F – FREASH
E – ECONOMICAL
E – ENERGY
D – DEVELOPMENT
I – IMMUNE
N – NUTRIENTS
G – GROWTH
BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING TO THE BABY
Breastfeeding protects babies from a long list of illnesses it makes the immune system strong and fights against
diseases that may attack the baby.
Early breastmilk known as colostrum is the thick yellowish milk that you make during pregnancy and just after
postpartum. The milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies. Colostrum changes in what is called mature milk and it
have the right amount of fats, sugar, water, and proteins to help the baby to continue to grow.
Due to the digestibility of breast milk babies are rarely constipated. Breastmilk is designed for your baby’s new and
sensitive digestive system. The amount of proteins and fats in breast milk is important to a baby’s needs because milk
has a natural laxative effect, infants that breastfeed will rarely become constipated. Additionally, the stools of
breastfed babies are mild smelling.
Breastfed babies may also lower baby’s risk of dying from sudden infant deaths (SIDS) and have even been linked to higher
intellectual quotient (IQS)
Breast milk is clean and sterile; it has no infections as it is kept clean. Breast milk helps in the reduction of diarrhoea.
Due to the anti-infective properties of breastmilk, breastfed babies tend to have less incidence of or less pronounced
symptoms of ear infections, respiratory illness, allergies, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Breast milk has a protein called lactoferrin which promotes the absorption of iron by the infant’s digestive system.
Breastfed babies are not likely to have diabetes when they grow. Breastfed babies are constantly exposed to a variety
of tastes through the mother’s milk.
BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING TO THE MOTHER
Breastfeeding is good for the mother because it has a surge of hormones in their bodies which help the uterus to
contract and shrink to its pre-pregnant size.
Breastfeeding acts as a family planning purpose this is because it delays fertility providing a reprieve from that
time of the month.
The skin-to-skin contact and cuddling during breastfeeding create a wonderful bond between mother and baby.
There is nothing better than the eye-to-eye contact, cuddling, and talking time that takes place during breastfeeding.
Nursing immediately following delivery causes the uterus to contract to lessen the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
Mothers who nurse their babies for at least six months lessen their chances of pre-menopausal breast cancer.
Many mothers feel a special satisfaction in knowing that they alone are meeting the nutritional needs of their babies.
The bonding between mother and baby during breastfeeding boosts mothers’ oxytocin levels, oxytocin is a hormone
that helps milk flow and calms the mother. Calories are burnt while breastfeeding, meaning that it helps mothers lose
pregnancy weight. Women at risk of breast cancer, particularly daughters of women who had the disease can reduce
their risk by breastfeeding their infants.
BENEFITS TO THE FAMILY
Breastfeeding saves the family from expenses like infant formula, firewood, or other fuel to boil water milk or other
needs.
It saves the family from medical expenses due to sickness that infant formula could cause; mothers and their children
are healthier. As episodes of illness are reduced the family encounters fewer emotional difficulties associated with the
babies’ illness.
Breastfeeding the baby reduces work because the milk is always available; fathers are positively impacted, and
reduce stress when their babies are being breastfed.
Family members and relatives will also know how to raise and take care of the children.
BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY/NATION
The nation benefits overall when mothers breastfed. This is because the country will not spend much on importing
infant formula and utensils are necessary for its preparation.
It saves hard currencies that could be used for other developmental activities or something else.
Healthy babies make a healthy nation, and breastfeeding improves child
BY JONES H.M
07/07/2022
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