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| Home > Breast Feeding > Advantages of Breast feeding
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| | Advantages of Breast feeding
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 Human milk contains almost all the protein, sugar and fat an infant needs to remain healthy. Consuming human milk endows the baby with great immunological benefits, including antibodies, immune factors, enzymes and white blood cells. These substances protects against a wide variety of illnesses and infections not only when the baby is breastfeeding but also long after the baby has weaned. These benefits cannot be obtained from any other source.
A breastfeeding mother suffering from any illness may pass on the germs of that illness to the infant. Antibodies are also passed on to the infants which may overpower the germs quickly and effectively and probably avoid the disease altogether. This defense against illnesses significantly decreases the chances of the baby from ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia, urinary tract infections or certain types of spinal meningitis. Even infants who are put in crθches, tend to catch more infections due to close proximity, are less likely to become ill if they are breastfeed or bottle fed with expressed breast milk.
Doctors recommend breastfeeding as a way to decrease the chances of food allergies and eczema in families prone to these conditions. Human milk contains human milk proteins, and not the proteins found in cow`s milk or even soy milk which are foreign to the baby`s immune system and may trigger allergic response. The transfer of the mothers` antibodies and other immunologic substances explain why breastfed children are less likely to contract childhood acute leukemia than those who receive formula. The incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is less common in breastfed babies. The reasons for which are not fully understood. Research also indicates that breastfed infants are less likely to be obese later in life, and that breastfed daughters are less likely to develop breast cancer later in life.
The composition of human milk changes over time to meet the child`s need at each stage of development. The first milk you produce after you give birth is called the colostrums, which is low in volume, and high in protein and very easy to digest for a newborn. If you deliver prematurely then your colostrums will contain even more protein and different types of fat, which are essential for premature babies. The colostrums give way to more mature milk which is of greater volume, lower in protein, and higher in lactose and fat, as required by your infant. The fat content of human milk may change during the course of a single feed, starting out low in fat and increasing until the end of the feed. The composition of mother`s milk may also change during the course of the day.
The fatty acids found in breast milk facilitate optimal brain development. Research indicate that the IQ of breast fed children are higher than those of formula fed children, not taking into account socio economic factors or the mothers intelligence score. This increase is particularly predominant among low birth weight infants.
The infant also benefits from the physical closeness of the mother. The infant who was secured in the womb, is thrust into a world with light and sound and different types of smell. The baby is reassured in the close proximity of his mother. By holding him close to your body, and providing nourishment from your body you proved a continuity from pre to post birth life. The baby senses the love and protection, and also understands that you are there to take care of his needs. The emotional bond is as vital as the nutritional bond that your baby may receive from you.
Breastfeeding can protect your baby from developing allergies
Several studies indicate that breastfeeding for the first six months or more protects the baby from developing food or respiratory allergies. One study has established that this protection appears to last well into adolescence. Another study found that premature infants from families prone to allergies had a lower risk of developing eczema than their formula-fed peers. A third study discovered that exclusive breastfeeding for the first four months after birth diminished a child`s risk of developing asthma by age 6.
Scientists believe that the fatty acids and immune factors such as IgA in breast milk thwart allergic reactions by not allowing large foreign proteins from getting into a baby`s system. Proteins found in cows` milk are one of the most common allergens. The most important factor responsible for causing more allergic reactions in babies who are fed cows` milk-based formula is the proteins found in cow`s milk, breastfed babies are not prone to allergies.
Breastfeeding may boost your child`s intelligence
Several studies have indicated a possible relation between breastfeeding and higher IQs. Exclusively breastfed babies for six months or above seem to have the most benefit. Experts opine that the emotional bonding that breast feeding offers probably contributes to some of the increase, but undoubtedly the fatty acids in breast milk may play the biggest role in a baby`s brain development.
Breastfeeding may protect against obesity later in life
Whether or not breastfed infants gained weight later in life has been a matter of debate for some time. In May 2005, after conducting a review of 61 studies related to infant feeding and later obesity, researchers came to a conclusion that early breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of obesity - but they stress that more study is necessary to determine the strength of the link.
Experts believe that breastfeeding may affect later weight gain for several reasons: Breastfed babies are better at regulating their feedings, which ultimately leads to healthier eating patterns as they grow. Breast milk contains less insulin than formula. Insulin is responsible for stimulating the creation of fat. And breastfed babies are endowed with more of the protein hormone leptin in their system. Leptin is a substance which plays a role in regulating appetite and fat according to researchers. Also, compared with breastfed babies, formula-fed infants gain weight more rapidly in the first weeks of life. This brisk weight gain is associated with obesity later in life.
 Breastfeeding may protect your baby from childhood leukemia:
Studies have established that breastfeeding can lower a baby`s risk of developing both acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia. Scientists are not sure exactly how breast milk diminishes the risk of these childhood cancers, but they that antibodies present in breast milk may give a baby`s immune system a boost. Research is still going on, on this topic.
Breastfeeding may protect your baby from developing type 1 diabetes
Exclusive breastfeeding for more than six months at a stretch reduces a child`s risk of developing insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes. One study established that, children who were breastfed for less than three months and exposed to cows` milk before 4 months had about 1.5 times the risk of developing the disease. It`s not clear exactly how breast milk provides protection against this disease, although researchers theoretically believe that immune factors in breast milk play a role.
Breastfeeding may protect preemies from infections and high blood pressure later in life
Breast milk seems to safeguard premature babies. Researchers found in one study that very low-birth weight babies nourished by breast milk had less serious blood infections and meningitis than those given formula. Another study found that preterm babies given breast milk were unlikely to have high blood pressure by the time they were teenagers.
Breastfeeding may lower your baby`s risk of SIDS
There`s no conclusive evidence that breastfeeding reduces your baby`s risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome per se. Some studies have found a link between lowered rates of SIDS while others have not. One thing is clear that breastfeeding can help prevent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections that may be the main culprit leading to SIDS.
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