BENEFITS OF BREAST FEEDING TO MOTHER AND BABY

The question is just about the benefits of breastfeeding.

But in this answer, along with benefits of breastfeeding, I will also try to elaborate everything about the importance and role of breastfeeding so that it can create some awareness among general public.

BREASTMILK

• It is the best gift a mother can give her baby ever.
• It contains all the nutrients for normal growth and development of a baby from the time of birth to the first 6 months of life.
• Ensuring exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months has a potential to reduce under-5 mortality rate by 13% and it assures maximum benefits of the breastfeeding.

What is exclusive breastfeeding?

Now coming to the main part of the question i.e benefits of breastfeeding. They are..

Nutritional Superiority

Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs for normal growth and development, in an optimum proportion and in a form that is easily digested and absorbed.

Carbohydrates

Lactose is in a high concentration (6-7 g/ dL) in breast milk. It helps in absorption of calcium and enhances the growth of lactobacilli, the good bacteria, in the intestine.

Proteins

The protein content of breast milk is low (0.9-1.1 g/dL) compared to animal milk. Human milk contains amino acids like taurine and cysteine which are necessary for neuro-transmission and neuromodulation. These are lacking in cow milk and formula.

Fats

Breast milk is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, necessary for the myelination of the nervous system.

Vitamins and Minerals

The quantity and bioavailability of vitamins and minerals is sufficient to the needs of the baby in the first 6 months of life.

Water and Electrolytes

Breast milk has a water content of 88% and hence a breastfed baby does not require any additional water in the first few months of life even during summer months.

Immunological Superiority

A breastfed baby is 14 times less likely to die of diarrhea and almost four times less likely to die of respiratory infection.

Protection against other illnesses

Breastfed babies have a lower risk of allergy, ear infections, orthodontic problems, diabetes, heart disease and lymphoma in later life.

Mental Growth

Studies have shown that babies who were breastfed had a higher IQ than those babies who were given other forms of milk.

Benefits to Mother

Not only the baby, the mother will also have number of benefits by breastfeeding.

They are

1. Breastfeeding soon after birth helps uterine involution, reducing chances of postpartum hemorrhage.
2. It provides protection against pregnancy due to lactational amenorrhea.
3. It reduces the risk of cancer of breastand ovary.
4. Breast-feeding is the most effective way of shedding extra weight that mother has gained during pregnancy.
5. More than everything, it gives a satisfied feel of motherhood and improves the emotional bonding between the mother and the baby

Technique of Breastfeeding.

Women becoming mothers for the first time require substantial assistance to learn the technique of breastfeeding. With correct technique, breastfeeding is natural and a pleasurable experience for the mother.

Positioning 

Position of the Mother

The mother can assume any position that is comfortable to her and the baby.

She can sit or lie down.

Her back should be well supported and she should not be leaning on her baby.

Position of the Baby

Make sure that baby is wrapped properly in a cloth.

• Baby's whole body is supported not just neck or shoulders.
• Baby's head and body are in one linewithout any twist in the neck.
• Baby's body turned towards the mother(abdomens of the baby and the mother touching each other).
• Baby's nose is at the level of the nipple.

Positioning
Attachment

Attachment

• After proper positioning, the baby's cheek is touched and that initiates rooting reflex.
• Allow the baby to open his mouth widely and at that point, the baby should be latched onto the breast ensuring that the nipple and most of the areola are within baby's mouth.

• It is important that the baby is brought on the mother's breast and mother should not lean onto baby.

Signs of good attachment (as in above image)

• The baby's mouth is wide open.
• Most of the nipple and areola in the mouth, only upper areola visible, not the lower one.
• The baby's chin touches the breast.
• The baby's lower lip is everted.

Positioning
Attachment
Effective Suckling

Effective Suckling

• Baby suckles slowly and pauses in between to swallow (suck, suck, suck.. and swallow).
• One may see throat cartilage and muscles moving and hear the gulping sounds of milk being swallowed.
• Baby's cheeks are full and not hollow or retracting during sucking.

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This is some information about the breastfeeding to create awareness among the general public.

Hope it helped a bit to everyone who read (non-medicos).