Why Mothers Must Breastfeed Their Babies

The general consensus on breastfeeding, like most else about child-raising, changes often. With the growing prevalence of breast-pumping and bottle-feeding, coupled with one’s concerns about the health and wellbeing of one’s* children, it might be of some use to remind oneself of the many benefits of the traditional way of feeding one’s infant: breastfeeding.

Stronger Immunity

The best known of all the benefits of breastmilk, and not one that can be understated, is that it bolsters and aids the health and immunity of children. Breastfed babies have been found to be less susceptible to conditions such as Asthma, Type I Diabetes, and even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The likelihood of them picking up stomach bugs or ear infections, too, is significantly reduced. Finally, it is through breast milk that a mother may share her own body’s antibodies with her child, thus further strengthening their immune system and ensuring their health. Many believe that breastfeeding fosters a closer bond between mother and child, thanks to physical closeness of human warmth and eye contact. Studies have also linked higher IQ scores to breastfeeding.

Designed for baby’s diet

Breast milk is intended for babies, and studies have found that, at least so far, there is nothing that can act as a truly satisfying replacement. Containing vitamins, fats, and proteins, breast milk is the single best source of nutrition for babies, especially in the first six months of their infancy. Even after the introduction of other substances to the baby’s diet in the latter half of the first year, breast milk continues to satisfy half of the child’s nutritional needs. Unlike formula or cow’s milk, there is no risk of allergy. Breast milk is also more easily digestible by infants than baby formula.

Lower risk of infection

To further emphasize the above, breast milk has been shown to be particularly beneficial to preterm infants. Consumption of breast milk by premature babies is related to lower rates of Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and sepsis (an extreme immune response, wherein an infection triggers a chain reaction across the body). In fact, studies suggest that breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of metabolic syndrome and even later neurodevelopmental disabilities in preterm infants.

Maternal benefits

Nothing is without drawbacks or difficulty. Often, circumstances are such that breastfeeding mothers might struggle with a lack of social support as well as inadequate sleep from dealing with the demands of a newborn. However, the benefits of breastmilk for, both for children and their mothers far outweigh the efforts. In fact, breastfeeding mothers are found to be at a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also affects birth spacing. i.e. the gap between pregnancies. The optimal gap is considered to be 2 years. Optimal breastfeeding naturally results in 2 years of birth spacing, on average.** Breast feeding can reduce uterine bleeding, and protects mothers against postpartum depression, and postpartum hemorrhage. More superficially, some believe that since breastfeeding burns calories, the act can also help one lose pregnancy weight.

One of the biggest drawbacks to breastfeeding is its inviability for working mothers. In an ideal world, every employer would grant their employees the required amount of maternity leave, but that isn’t, unfortunately, the world we live in. However, working mothers can comfort themselves with the knowledge that feeding their child through breast milk pumped out and stored for later use causes them no harm. Bear in mind though, that this is only true after the six-month mark.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways of protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of mothers and children, with proven benefits for their physical and mental health, as well as for the later development of the child. Most studies and medical experts agree that a diet comprising exclusively of breast milk is strongly recommended for an infant’s first six months. Even after the milk is supplemented, mothers are encouraged to continue breastfeeding their children for the first year. UNICEF even estimates that breastfeeding could save over 820,000 lives every year.*

Conclusion

How one chooses to feed their child is ultimately a personal choice, and one that is entirely their own. But, World Breastfeeding Week is coming up this August, from the first to the seventh, and even if breastfeeding isn’t for you and your child, it might be worth taking the time to further educate oneself, share your own experiences of apprehensions with others, or even attend an event if one is being held.

NB

*Can’t use ‘their' since the subject pronoun used is ‘one’ ** birthspacing is an important benefit of breastfeeding. Have added content to explain what it is.