Breastfeeding is Bae!!!


 Just this weekend, I had the opportunity of sharing with a friend who just had a baby about the benefits of breastfeeding your baby. She was at a crossroad of taking the decision for her first baby and I shared some insights as well as personal testimonies of breastfeeding my own two babies which I would love to share here.
Breastfeeding has many health benefits for babies and as we all know according to research that ‘’breast is best” but here are some benefits that new mothers can benefit from:
Breast milk helps to Boosts your baby’s immune system in a big way. It helps to fight viral, bacterial and Parasitic infections. (During the first five years of my children, I hardly had to visit the hospital for any of these reasons). It has also been noted that it can help reduce the risk of some diseases later in life like Diabetes, Obesity, High blood pressure etc. Breastfeeding reduces the mums’ risk of ovarian and breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. The longer she breastfeeds, the higher the benefit.  Breastfeeding helps mums heal faster in the postpartum, helping her uterus return to pre-pregnancy size faster and lowering overall postpartum blood loss and helps mum return to her pre-baby weight. Breastfeeding for the first 6 months is crucial.
So many benefits including its saves you lot of Dollars!!!

 Did you also Know?
 On average, babies remove 67% of the milk mama has available—they eat until fullness, not until the breast is emptied. Contrary to what people believe…your baby has enough to feed!
 Almost 75% of all moms produce more milk in their right breast, whether they are right- or left- handed.
Mum’s body is constantly making the perfect milk for baby.  Milk changes its nutritional profile as baby grows (milk made for a 3-month old is different than for a 9 month old). 
Breastmilk milk contains substances that promote sleep and calmness in babies (who doesn’t love that?)  Breastfeeding also calms mama and helps her bond to baby.
 Breastfed infants are at lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

In India, there is a belief that colostrum (the liquid produced by a mother immediately after her baby's birth) is "dirty" so it is often expressed and then thrown away. The baby is then fed formula for the first few days of its life.

 Also in Kenya, women are advised not to breastfeed after a quarrel until they have undergone a ritual cleansing,and in some other regions too it is believed that breastfeeding in public makes the mother and child vulnerable to the evil eye. lol

 Though a woman's approach to breastfeeding or willingness to do so can be influenced by local customs, her personal views, physical ability to breastfeed and education also play a role.

References
 Amy Johnson (2015) 15 Cool facts about breastfeeding: https://www.health-foundations.com/blog/2013/11/19/15-cool-facts-about-breastfeeding
 Bupa global (2015) retrieved from  https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/your-wellbeing/family-life/breastfeeding-around-the-world

Comments

  1. sophia chang11 November 2017 at 20:23

    I found your global facts super interesting on India and Kenya on how they view breastfeeding, but also keeping an open mind depending on the circumstances of their environment. Mother's from the countries may not be well fed and hydrate themselves to be able to provide for their babies to breast feeding. Local custom and personal views is also important to also take in to considerations and when women are surrounded in an environment where breastfeeding is accepted, others follow suit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown12 November 2017 at 20:29

    Thanks for Sharing Anu! Hopefully, your friend will do more research and take your advice. I also appreciate your "Did you know" section. Babies not being nourished until mommy is cleansed is crazy!

    ReplyDelete

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