Is breastfeeding essential for your newborn baby? What advantages does it have over formula - and what disadvantages? These questions are central to thinking about your family's health, so here's our lowdown on breastfeeding facts.

Breast Milk

Mother’s milk consists of all the elements, in the right proportions, that are required by young ones for adequate growth. Breast milk also contains lactoferrin, that helps babies absorb the right quantities of iron and protects them from infections. It also contains certain hormones that help fight allergies and increase metabolism leading to proper digestion. Many powder formulas have been proven to contain slight errors in these quantities, a deficiency that is exacerbated by the fact that the mother's milk is specially designed for her child, and is likely to contain specially tailored proportions.

Nutrition

Mother’s milk can never be substituted for artificial feeds, as it contains varying quantities of nutrients and vitamins that the baby needs. Some mothers may produce more sugar, and some more water, to help their baby grow. As growth progresses, the composition of the mother's milk does too, aiding the child's development both mentall and physically. In addition, breast-fed children run lesser risk of obesity in the future, as compared to the ones fed with bottled milk.

Growth

Babies fed with breast milk for 6 months or more are exposed to fewer ailments than their formula-fed counterparts. Breast milk provides a complete solution to all the nutritional requirements of a growing infant, helping him become stronger, more active, and intelligent. Breast milk contains ingredients like DHA (docosohexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid), which contributes to speedier brain and retinal development.

Immune system

Mother’s milk is packed with all the essential nutrients that a child requires for the development of the immune system during those first months and years. Breast milk contains certain essential enzymes and antibodies that help protect the child from germs and help keep infections at bay. In addition, babies fed with breast milk run lesser risk of sudden Infant death syndrome (SIDS), high cholesterol, and asthma in the first year of their life.

Benefits for nursing others

Breast-feeding actually burns extra calories, helping the nursing mother shed the pounds of weight they put on during pregnancy. The hormones released during feeding also help the uterus get back in shape, and strengthen it. It may also lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, although this has not been fully proven.

Emotional bond

As breast-feeding requires close mother-child skin-to-skin contact and demands exclusive time to be spent by the mother, it helps strengthen her bond with her child, leading to the child feeling secure and comfortable. With the invention of breast pumps, the father can strengthen his bond with the child as well, while using authentic milk.

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