Pregnancy brings with it a range of questions in the minds of a would-be mother. It is natural. One such question commonly asked is whether or not to breastfeed the baby and if yes, for how long.

If you have the same question too, read on. While whether or not to breastfeed your baby is a personal choice, here we discuss its endless benefits.

The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding till the baby is 2 years old or longer, starting as early as one hour after birth. Other paediatric associations also have similar recommendations. These recommendations are backed by scientific facts and, hence should not be taken lightly.

Let’s delve more into this.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Baby

To begin with, let’s explore the advantages of breastfeeding for the baby.

Provides ideal nutrition for the babies

Breast milk contains all the nutrition that your baby needs, at least for the first six months of life. And all in the right proportions. The magical fact is that the composition of breast milk changes according to the baby’s changing needs, especially during the first month.

It looks like a thick and yellowish fluid called colostrum in the first few days after birth. It is low in sugar, high in protein and laden with beneficial compounds. This is a wonder food which can never be replaced by formula.

The first ideal milk, colostrum helps develop the newborn’s immature digestive tract. Slowly, as the baby’s stomach grows the breasts start producing larger amounts of milk. The only thing that may be lacking from breast milk at this point is vitamin D.

Contains Important Antibodies

Breast milk is rich in antibodies that help your baby fight off bacteria and viruses, critical in those early months Colostrum contains high amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and other antibodies. When the mom is exposed to bacteria and viruses, their body starts producing antibodies which are then transferred to the milk. So, in a way, the mother’s immunity gets transferred to the baby. How magical is that?

IgA forms a protective layer on the baby’s nose, throat and digestive system, thus preventing the baby from getting sick.

These antibodies are not available in formula, which is why babies who are not breastfed are more prone to suffer from diseases like diarrhoea, pneumonia and different kinds of infections.

Promotes Healthy Weight for the Baby

Research reveals that drinking breastmilk promotes healthy weight gain for the baby, thus preventing childhood obesity. According to one study, breastfeeding for longer than 4 months significantly reduced the chances of a baby being overweight. This can be due to the development of healthy gut bacteria, due to consumption of breast milk. These gut bacteria may affect fat storage.

Babies who are breastfed have more leptin in their systems than those who are fed formula. Leptin regulates appetite and fat storage as well.

Babies also self-regulate their milk intake during breastfeeding, hence in a way, they are used to controlling their portion, which is followed when they start eating solids. That’s why they are more used to eating only until their hunger is satisfied, which leads to developing healthy eating patterns.

Reduces the Risk of Diseases

Babies who are exclusively on breast milk have a reduced risk of many diseases and illnesses such as:

• Respiratory tract infections: It has been proven through research that breastfeeding protects from multiple gastrointestinal and acute respiratory diseases.
• Middle ear infections: Children who are breastfed for as long as possible suffer from lesser middle ear, sinus and throat infections.
• Gut infections: Breastfeeding has also been linked to reduced gut infections.
• Bowel diseases: Breastfed babies are less likely to develop Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Cold and flu: Babies who are exclusively breastfed for at least six months have a lower risk of contracting serious cold, flu and ear and throat infections.
• Intestinal tissue damage: Breastfeeding has been linked to a reduction in the incidences of necrotising enterocolitis, a serious gastrointestinal disease that mostly affects premature babies.
• Allergic diseases: Breastfeeding has also been linked to a reduction of different kinds of allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis, asthma and eczema.
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS, especially in babies who are breastfed exclusively.
• Diabetes: Research reveals that breastfed babies are less likely to develop type-1 and type-2 diabetes.
• Childhood leukaemia: Research also links a reduction in the risk of leukaemia in babies who are breastfed.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Mother

Well, it’s not only the baby, but breastfeeding can also be extremely beneficial for the mother as well. Here’s how:

Helps the Uterus Contract

Your uterus expands immensely during pregnancy, growing to the size of a pear, and filling almost the entire space of your abdomen. After delivery, the uterus goes through a process called involution, through which it returns to its previous size. This is driven by Oxytocin, a hormone that increases during pregnancy. Oxytocin, secreted in high amounts from your body in large quantities also helps you bond with your baby. Oxytocin is also produced in a large quantity during breastfeeding. It helps the uterus return to its previous size as well as reduces bleeding after delivery.

Decreased Risk of Depression

A common issue faced by many women after delivery is postpartum depression. The incidence is reported to be between 3.9% and 22.8% in women in Malaysia. Research has linked a reduced incidence of postpartum depression in women who breastfeed compared to those who don’t. However, those who experience postpartum depression soon after delivery may find it difficult to breastfeed to may be able to do it for a shorter term. Postpartum depression is not one to be ignored. If you feel you might be suffering from it, we recommend talking to your doctor as soon as possible.

May Help you Lose Weight

Some women tend to lose weight while breastfeeding since it burns calories. This is usually felt after three months of lactation.

Reduces Disease Risk for the Mom

Yes, like the baby, breastfeeding can reduce disease risk for moms too. Prolonged breastfeeding has been linked to a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer. Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of:

• Arthritis
• High blood pressure
• High blood fats
• Type-2 diabetes
• Heart disease

Apart from medical benefits, breastfeeding can have other benefits for the mother too, such as:

• Physical and emotional bonding with the baby: Breastfeeding is a unique way to connect with your baby emotionally and physically. According to some research, this bonding can reduce behavioural and social issues in both children and adults. It also improves trust between the mother and the baby.
• Convenience: Formula feeding brings with it issues such as mixing formula and preparing bottles.
• Reduced cost: While breastfeeding can have initial costs such as nursing bras and nipple cream, it is more affordable than formula in the long run. The cost of formula can be quite high based on the type, brand and amount your baby drinks.

Benefits of Breastfeeding by Month Chart

Most healthcare providers recommend breastfeeding exclusively until at least your baby is six months old. Of course, you can continue longer. The early period is important for your baby to obtain the right kind of antibodies and nutrients required for their growth and development.

Breastfeeding provides your child with nutrients and immune protection till they are two years old and even beyond. This is why healthcare providers advise breastfeeding even after introducing solid foods. Solid foods and breast milk complement each other to provide complete nourishment for your baby.

Let’s look at the benefits of breastfeeding for your baby month-wise up to six months:

• Breastfeeding for the first three months lowers the risk of stomach flu, diarrhoea and ear infections for your baby. It also reduces the risk of developing eczema or asthma.
• Breastfeeding for at least four months reduced the risk of hospitalisation for respiratory syncytial virus, a highly contagious, seasonal respiratory virus that feels like a common cold. Infants are at a higher risk of developing symptoms and complications due to this. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of other respiratory tract infections.
• Breastfeeding for at least six months lowers the risk of developing childhood cancer.

Are Breastfed Babies Smarter?

While some studies suggest that breastfeeding has a positive long-term effect on behavioural and brain development, there’s no concrete evidence that formula-fed babies are less smart than breast-fed babies.

What Should You Consider Before Breastfeeding

Establishing a nursing routine may take time both for you and your baby. Some mothers struggle to achieve a good latch with the infant. The quality of the latch can affect things such as milk supply, pain levels and how long the baby breastfeeds. Poor latching can also lead to discomfort and new moms may be inexperienced in understanding this. Don’t worry if your baby is not properly latching at first. With time it will get better. However, if it gets too uncomfortable, we recommend talking to your doctor.

You should avoid certain foods while breastfeeding such as:

• Caffeine: Try to limit the consumption of caffeinated drinks to two cups a day while you breastfeed. The excess caffeine in breast milk can disturb your baby’s sleep schedule.
• Alcohol: If you can, avoid alcohol while you are breastfeeding. If you drink, wait till the alcohol levels have cleared from your breastmilk till you nurse. This can take two to three hours depending on how many drinks you’ve had. If you plan to have a few drinks, we suggest storing some milk beforehand to make the process smoother for you and your child.
• Fish: Certain seafood such as king mackerel and swordfish contain high amounts of mercury, that can be transferred to your baby through the breast milk. So it’s better to avoid them while you are breastfeeding.

What if I Can’t Breastfeed?

While we discuss the benefits of breastfeeding, it is also important to discuss what if you cannot breastfeed. Women cannot breastfeed due to many factors such as medical conditions that affect their body’s capability of producing and releasing milk. Breastfeeding exclusively can be challenging for working women too.

If you are unable to breastfeed due to certain reasons, don’t worry, you are not alone. Talk to your baby’s doctor about the best baby formula for your baby. You can also take donated human milk from a credible human milk bank. Talk to your doctor to find recommendations for a trusted milk bank. We strongly suggest not buying breast milk online or from individual sellers as they can be unsafe for the baby.

If you are facing challenges with low milk supply, you can talk to a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding medicine specialist. They are certified health professionals who specialise in breastfeeding issues. They can help you deal with these challenges and overcome these issues.

Sources:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/breastfeeding/11-benefits-of-breastfeeding#benefits-for-you
• https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/benefits-of-breastfeeding
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/rsv-respiratory-syncytial-virus
• https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/features/breastfeeding-benefits
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/benefits/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles