11 benefits for your baby when you breastfeed

It is no coincidence that many nutrition experts recommend breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are not only good for the overall development of babies and children, but also for many great things for mothers.

Breastfeeding not only saves you a significant amount of money, but also increases the bond between mother and baby. In addition, breast milk also brings many practical benefits for both you and your baby. So what are the benefits, please read the following article and discover immediately.

Why is breastfeeding the best choice for your baby?

Breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition for infants and young children. Breastfeeding is also an important factor to help your baby be smarter, in breast milk contains most of the resistance and nutrients that can meet the baby's needs. Breastfeeding offers important health benefits for both mother and baby. Therefore, many mothers have established breastfeeding associations on social networking sites to support and share their experiences in raising children with this valuable source of nutrients.

11 benefits for babies when breastfeeding

1. Breast milk is specially made for babies

Health authorities recommend that mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 months. To properly breastfeed your baby, continue to breastfeed for at least a year before your baby can take other supplements. Breast milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first 6 months of life in the right ratio. The composition of breast milk even varies according to the needs of the baby, especially during the first month after birth.

In the first days of life, the breast produces a thick, light yellow or clear liquid called colostrum . This milk is high in protein, low in sugar and rich in other beneficial micronutrients. Colostrum is the first milk that is extremely nutritious, helping the developing infant's incomplete digestive system. After a few days, the mother's breast begins to release a larger amount of milk as the baby's stomach has grown.

If talking about the only nutrient that breastmilk lacks, it is vitamin D. If the mother is not provided with enough vitamin D, the breast milk cannot provide enough of this micronutrient for the baby. To make up for this deficiency, doctors recommend a drip supplement of vitamin D when your baby is 2−4 weeks old.

2. Breast milk is easier to absorb

Breast milk is made for a sensitive and developing baby's digestive system. Protein (mostly lactalbumin) and fat in breast milk make it easier for babies to absorb protein (mainly caseinogen) and fat in cow's milk. Infants are also more likely to absorb important micronutrients in breast milk than cow's milk because the nutrients in cow's milk are made specifically for calves, not babies. So breastfed babies are less likely to develop gas and vomiting.

3. Breast milk is very safe

It is certain that breastmilk maintains a constant temperature, is never nutrient deficient, spoiled or contaminated (unless the mother has a disease that affects her breast milk).

4. Breastfeeding protects your baby from allergies

Babies who use cow's or  soy milk formula  are more likely to experience allergic reactions than infants who are breastfed. Immune factors such as secreted IgA antibodies (only found in breast milk) help prevent food allergies by providing a protective film to the baby's intestines, scientists say.

Without this protection, infections can develop and the baby's intestinal wall is at risk of eroding. This allows undigested proteins to pass through the intestines and cause allergic reactions as well as other health problems. Infants who drink infant formula do not receive this protection and are susceptible to infections, allergies and other common illnesses.

5. Breast milk helps to soothe the baby's stomach

Thanks to its laxative ability and natural ease of digestion, breastfed babies have almost no constipation. Although your baby's stool is quite loose, he will have less diarrhea. In fact, breast milk also reduces the risk of indigestion by destroying harmful microorganisms and supporting healthy microbes in your baby's body.

6. Breast milk helps babies less likely to have diaper rashes

Sweat from breastfed babies is less likely to cause diaper rash, although this advantage (along with other less unpleasant odors) will disappear when the baby goes out of the diaper.

7. Breast milk helps strengthen the baby's immune system

From the very beginning of breastfeeding, you increase the child's resistance because the baby has received a amount of antibodies to strengthen his immunity. In general, babies will have less colds, ear infections and less respiratory, urinary and other diseases than bottle-fed babies. In addition, if there are these diseases, the baby will get better faster. Breast milk also helps improve the immune response to most diseases like tetanus, leukemia and polio. In addition, breast milk may partly protect the baby from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

8. Breast milk helps to balance fat and prevent obesity

Breastfed babies often become chubby less often than bottle-fed babies. Breastfeeding helps children gain moderate weight and prevent obesity. Studies show that obesity rates are 15−30% lower in breastfed infants. The length of time to breastfeed is also very important, as each month breastfeeding reduces the risk of future obesity by up to 4%. This could be due to the growth of different types of bacteria in the gut. Breastfed babies have a higher number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which may affect the body's fat storage mechanisms.

In addition, the calorie content of milk is also properly controlled. Milk produced by a mother when her baby is about to stop feeding has a higher calorie content than the milk at the beginning of a feed and will make the baby feel full faster. Although there are still not enough data, many opinions suggest that the fat balance advantages of breast milk will have long-term effects until the later life of the baby. Some studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight by the time they reach adolescence. Another benefit for mothers is that breastfeeding contributes to lower cholesterol and blood pressure later in life.

9. Breast milk helps your baby develop a comprehensive brain

Breast milk will partly help increase intelligence for the baby, at least until the baby is 15 years old or it can prolong to adulthood. This is due to the amount of brain development fatty acid (DHA) in milk and the interaction between mother and baby when the baby is breastfed.

Some studies show that there are differences in  brain development  between a breastfed baby compared to a formula fed infant. This difference may be due to the close, direct skin contact between mother and baby as well as eye contact when the mother is nursing. Studies show that breastfed babies have higher intelligence scores and are less likely to develop behavioral and learning problems later in life as they get older.

However, the most pronounced effects were seen in  premature babies , subjects at high risk of developmental problems. Research clearly shows that breastfeeding has significant positive effects on long-term intellectual development of the brain. Because formula does not contain any antibodies that help protect babies, babies who are not breastfed are more likely to experience health problems such as pneumonia, diarrhea or infection.

10. Breastfeeding can help your baby feel good

A baby can continue to suckle right after it is full even though the mother has almost no milk left. Although this has no nutritional benefits, it is very effective in return if the baby is agitated (like fussy) and needs to calm down. Conversely, your baby cannot continue to suck on an empty bottle to ease his mood.

11. Breastfeeding helps babies develop mouth muscles

The scientific design, no matter how good, cannot help children practice the jaw muscles, gums, teeth and palate. However, the nipple sucking action when breastfeeding will ensure the development of the oral cavity and jaw muscles for teeth to grow later. Babies who are breastfed are also less likely to experience tooth decay than other babies.

Breastfeeding is also good for mothers

1. Breastfeeding can reduce a mother's stress and depression risk after giving birth

Many mothers feel relaxed while breastfeeding, as breastfeeding stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin. According to many human and animal studies, scientists have shown that oxytocin promotes mental nourishment and relaxation. Oxytocin released while breastfeeding also helps mothers' uterus to contract normally after birth, reducing the risk of bleeding in the postpartum period.

One study found that women with high oxytocin levels (50% of breastfed mothers and 8% bottle-feeding mothers) had stable blood pressure after being released from stress. straight. Furthermore, if you are undergoing treatment for depression, you can still breastfeed your baby. A psychiatrist can help you come up with safe ways to treat depression while caring for your baby.

2. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of some cancers

Many studies have found that breastfeeding women have a very low risk of developing cancers such as breast cancer or ovarian cancer. With breast cancer, the ability to protect the mother from this type of cancer is at least a year.

The reason that breastfeeding brings such surprising results is because breastfeeding is related to a change in the structure of breast tissue and the secretion of milk reduces the amount of estrogen that a woman's body. produced. Ovarian cancer may also be involved in estrogen production, researchers suggest.

3. Breastfeeding can delay menstruation

Continued breastfeeding also stops ovulation and menstruation. Discontinuation of the menstrual cycle is considered a natural contraceptive to ensure spacing between pregnancies. Some women even use this method as a natural contraceptive in the first few months of life. Note, however, that this may not be an effective method of birth control. See this change as a bonus. While enjoying your precious time with your baby, you won't have to worry about "red light days" anymore.

4. Some other benefits

Breastfeeding not only helps mothers quickly lose weight after giving birth, but also causes the uterus to contract back to the size it was before pregnancy. At the same time, breastfeeding also helps the uterus to contract, expel fluid production quickly.

Breastfeeding saves you some money. It is less expensive to raise a breastfed baby than a baby using formula. If you give your baby formula, it can cost you 90,000 - 200,000 VND / day, depending on the brand, type (powder or liquid) and how much milk your baby consumes. Also, at night, breastfeeding your baby will be simpler and faster than a mother or relative having to get up to make milk or warm a bottle of prepared milk and then feed your baby.

Besides, it's great when you take your baby out to play or have vaccinations, periodic health checks ... without having to carry a full bag of tools to feed your baby with formula. Instead, mothers only need to bring a big towel to cover when breastfeeding.

The benefits of breastfeeding your baby are enormous. Most important, however, is that breastfeeding makes most mothers feel their motherhood. This is the most meaningful thing this brings.

How can mother and baby always feel comfortable when breastfeeding?

Usually, breastfeeding takes about 20-30 minutes / breast, especially in the newborn months, so choose warm, comfortable places to breastfeed. Mom can hold the baby in a position that the back and arms do not feel tired and sore. The best way is to use your arms to support the back of the baby's head and shoulders, and support the baby's bottom with a soft pillow to raise the baby to the right breast level. You can of course choose positions that you feel more comfortable with.

If you sit and breastfeed, a pillow will help your baby a lot. Many mothers also use a footrest to help them feel more comfortable. Whether sitting or lying down, start breastfeeding when you and your baby are both comfortable in this position for a long time.

Milk food for new mothers

A healthy diet is all you need while you are breastfeeding. Even though you still have milk for your baby even when your body is not properly supplied with the nutrients, a balanced diet will ensure the quantity and quality of milk . Eat when you feel hungry and remember to drink water regularly to keep your body moist.

Many mothers feel extremely hungry while breastfeeding. This makes perfect sense, as your body has to constantly work to make milk for your baby. Eating small mid-day snacks and snacks is a great way to overcome hunger and get enough energy. Most women who are breastfeeding will need about 200-500 more calories than mothers who are not breastfeeding.

You should not use too much caffeine and alcohol as they will pass to your baby during breastfeeding and accumulate inside the baby's body. Experts recommend that you should not consume more than 300mg of caffeine / day, equivalent to 1–2 cup of coffee.

Most babies are breastfed no problem if the mother enjoys spicy food. In fact, some experts believe that babies love diversity so mothers don't need to restrict what they eat. If your baby shows bloating or discomfort every time you eat a particular food (eg dairy products), try eliminating the food for a while. Then, see if your baby's condition improves when you don't eat them.

If you have to go to work early before the end of maternity leave, you should freeze milk every day . Helping the baby still enjoys a valuable source of nutrients even if the mother is not around all day.

Breastfeeding is something every mother should do and that only a mother can do. This creates an especially strong physical and mental bond between mother and baby. Therefore, you should focus on breastfeeding instead of formula so that both mother and baby will get more benefits together!