New Delhi: Human milk stands as the ideal source of nutrition for nearly all infants. Therefore, breastfeeding is highly recommended for the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside the introduction of appropriate solid foods within the first year. The benefits of breastfeeding extend significantly to both mothers and their infants, impacting health in both the short and long term.
While talking about the health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child, Dr. V. Prakash, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Prashanth Hospitals – Velachery and Kolathur shared the following insights.
Benefits for Mothers
Short-Term Benefits
Postpartum Recovery: Breastfeeding helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size more quickly, reducing postpartum bleeding.
Delay in Ovulation: It can delay the return of menstruation, which can help with spacing between pregnancies.
Mental Health: Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of postpartum depression.
Weight Management: It can assist in losing the weight gained during pregnancy.
Long-Term Benefits
Cancer Risk Reduction: Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.
Cardiovascular Health: Long-term breastfeeding is linked to lower risks of heart disease.
Type 2 Diabetes: Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Benefits for Infants
Short-Term Benefits
Nutritional Superiority: Breast milk contains biologically active components that offer antimicrobial and immunomodulatory protection, reducing the risk of conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Neurobehavioral Development: Breastfeeding supports optimal brain development and cognitive function.
Digestive Health: It reduces gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea, promotes faster gastric emptying, and improves intestinal lactase activity, particularly in premature infants.
Reduced Infections: Breastfeeding lowers the incidence of respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and septicemia.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): It is associated with a decreased risk of SIDS.
Hospitalization and Mortality: Breastfeeding is linked to fewer hospitalizations and a reduction in infant mortality rates.
Long-Term Benefits
Chronic Disease Prevention: Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain cancers, such as childhood lymphoma and leukemia.
Respiratory and Allergic Conditions: It is linked to a reduced incidence of asthma, wheezing, and dental problems.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Health: Breastfeeding can help in preventing obesity and associated cardiovascular diseases later in life
Social Benefits
Globally, it is estimated that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to at least two years could prevent a significant number of infant deaths. Breastfeeding offers substantial health benefits that not only enhance the immediate well-being of infants but also contribute to their long-term health and development.
Alternatives When Breastfeeding is Not Possible
In cases where a mother’s milk is not available, pasteurized donor human milk serves as a valuable alternative for extremely and moderately preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This option provides many of the protective benefits of breast milk, supporting the health of vulnerable newborns. In summary, breastfeeding provides a wealth of benefits for both mothers and babies, enhancing immediate health outcomes and offering long-term advantages. Its role in promoting optimal growth, development, and health cannot be overstated.
Breastfeeding provides a wealth of benefits for both mothers and babies, enhancing immediate health outcomes and offering long-term advantages. Its role in promoting optimal growth, development, and health cannot be overstated. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
