POLOKWANE – When looking at the documented short- and long-term medical and neuro developmental advantages of breastfeeding, infant nutrition should be considered a public health issue and not only a lifestyle choice.
Best for the baby
Breast milk provides a nutritionally balanced and complete diet to newborn babies for the first six months of their lives and decreases your baby’s chance of getting common childhood infections, and better survival during the first year of life, including a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Reduces
Breastfeeding reduces your baby’s chance of certain allergies, asthma, and ear infections. Breastfeeding also reduces your child’s chances for obesity, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and some types of cancer as he/she grows up.
Economical
Eating a healthy balanced diet by the mother (and you buy groceries every week anyways) is the only expense for breastfeeding your baby. No need to buy any formula milk, bottles, sterilising solutions, bottle brushes etc.
Antibodies – protect
While breastfeeding some of your immune system cells from your body is transferred to your baby and boosts your baby’s immune system.
Survival
Looking at all the other benefits of breastfeeding, it is easy to understand how breastfeeding helps your baby to survive.
Temperature always ideal
No need to test breast milk temperature on the inside of your arm before feeding to your baby, because it is always available at a perfect 36.8OC body temperature. (That is if you are breastfeeding and not expressing breast milk to feed with a bottle)
Fresh – never goes off
No matter how long you wait between breastfeeding times (1 hour or 4 hours), breast milk will always be fresh. No need to worry about its freshness.
Emotional bonding with baby
Research suggests that skin-to-skin contact of breastfeeding may have physical and emotional benefits, from helping baby’s to maintain their body temperatures up to releasing feel good hormones to the mother to decrease chances for postpartum depression.
Ecologically safe
Breastfeeding is safe and free from bacteria, as long as breast milk if not expressed and fed to a baby with a spoon, cup, or bottle.
Digested easily
Breast milk is the most perfect food for babies during the first two years after birth providing the perfect blend of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that is easy to digest. Breastfed babies generally suffer less from cramping, reflux, and other digestion issues compared to formula fed babies.
Immediately available
When breastfeeding your baby the only things needed are you and your baby, no other preparation needed.
Nutritionally complete
Breast milk provides a nutritionally balanced and complete diet to newborn babies for the first six months of their lives. After six months some of the nutrients are not enough anymore and breastfeeding should be supplemented with nutritious food. Your baby is ready to start learning tolerance for different tastes and textures after six months as well.
Gastro cases reduced
Babies who are not breastfed are two times more likely to have diarrhea or constipation. Protection against gastro continues for 2 months after you stop breastfeeding.
The World Health Organisation recommend as a global public health recommendation that:
- Infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development, and health.
- After the first six months, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breast feeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.
For more advice on breastfeeding your baby or other diet related questions contact a dietitian in your area (go to www.adsa.org.za for a list of dietitians).
