New Delhi: Breastfeeding is vital to the new mother’s and the baby’s overall health. It is highly recommended that the health and development of a child be ensured. Every year, nearly 820,000 lives of children are saved by breastfeeding, as per official data. On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO), confirms that every new mother must breastfeed their newborn for at least six months because of its tremendous benefits to the baby. According to recent research, breastfeeding underscores its significant role in promoting visual health in infants. On this World Breastfeeding Week let’s understand how?
Dr Nita Shah, Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chembur shared with News9, “Breastfeeding is renowned for its broad health benefits, and recent research underscores its significant role in promoting visual health in infants. The connection between breastfeeding and visual development is multifaceted, involving crucial nutrients and protective factors.” Here’s an updated overview of how breastfeeding supports your child’s vision and additional guidance on making the most of this vital practice.
Key Benefits of Breastfeeding for Vision:
1. Overall Nutritional Balance for Eye Health: Breast milk is rich in Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid crucial for retinal nerve cell development and maintaining vision. It also contains essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, E, and zinc, which support retinal health and overall visual function. Breastfed infants typically have higher DHA levels than those on formula, unless the formula is fortified with DHA.
2. Influence on Visual Development Milestones: Breast milk’s rich nutrient profile helps in the timely achievement of developmental milestones such as depth perception and visual attention. This comprehensive support from breastfeeding contributes to enhanced visual clarity, enabling infants to process visual information more effectively and interact with their surroundings more proficiently
3. Potential Reduction in Myopia Risk: Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of myopia by providing essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, which support retinal health. Studies show that breastfeeding for six months or more can cut the risk of myopia by up to 60 per cent, likely due to improved visual and nutritional development in infants.
4. Long-term Visual Health Benefits: Breast milk contains lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that accumulate in the retina and protect against oxidative damage. This early nutritional support may reduce the risk of myopia in childhood and extend benefits to long-term eye health, potentially lowering the risk of age-related conditions like macular degeneration.
5. Supporting Immune System Development: Breast milk, rich in antibodies like secretory IgA, protects infants from eye infections such as conjunctivitis and supports overall immune system development. This immune boost reduces systemic infections that could impact eye health.
Additional Considerations:
1. The Impact of Maternal Nutrition: A mother’s diet can influence the quality of breast milk and, consequently, the visual health benefits for her baby. Ensuring a well-balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals will enhance the nutritional profile of breast milk. Consulting with a healthcare provider or a nutritionist can provide personalised guidance on maintaining optimal maternal nutrition.
2. The Importance of Breastfeeding Duration: While any amount of breastfeeding provides benefits, extending breastfeeding duration can amplify the positive effects on visual health. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years or beyond. Longer durations of breastfeeding can provide extended nutritional and developmental advantages.
World Breastfeeding Week: The connection between breastfeeding and visual development is multifaceted, involving crucial nutrients and protective factors. Here’s an updated overview of how breastfeeding supports your child’s vision and additional guidance on making the most of this vital practice. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
