Breast milk provides infants unique benefits
Hailed as National Breastfeeding Month, August is meant to share what that means – that a mother’s milk provides a newborn with vital antibodies and an immunity boost, as the infant grows.
“Breastfeeding, whether by the breast or pumping breast milk, is important to an infant, as it provides protection against many short- and long-term illnesses, while also giving mom and baby important bonding time,” said lactation consultant Teresa DeMoe.
The following are breastfeeding benefits:
• Breast milk fights disease. The cells, hormones and antibodies in breast milk, protect babies from illness, such as ear infections, asthma, Type 1 diabetes and gastrointestinal infections, among others.
• Breast milk is easier to digest. For most babies, especially premature babies, breast milk is easier to digest than formula. The proteins in formula are made from cow’s milk and it takes time for babies’ stomachs to adjust to digesting them.
• Breast milk is liquid gold. Colostrum, often referred to as “liquid gold,” is the thick yellow breast milk that mothers make during pregnancy and just after birth. This milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect baby. Although baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, it matches the amount his or her stomach can hold.
• Breast milk changes as baby grows. Colostrum changes into what is called mature milk. By the third to fifth day after birth, this mature breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein, to help a baby continue to grow. It is a thinner type of milk than colostrum, but it provides all the nutrients and antibodies a baby needs.
• Breastfeeding is beneficial to mothers, as well. Mothers who breastfeed, tend to recover from childbirth faster, and are at a lower risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, then continuing breastfeeding while introducing soft foods, until a child is 24 months or older.
