BENEFITS FOR BABY
Breastfeeding is the biologically normal way to feed a baby and breastmilk is biologically specifically suited to the needs of a baby.
Breastmilk varies from mother to mother, and changes according to the time of day, age of baby and appetite. Breastfeeding responsively and without restriction matches a baby’s needs, appetite and normal desire for closeness and comfort.
Breastmilk contains everything a baby needs: nutrients (which can be mimicked reasonably well in formula milk) are vital to a baby’s growth and nutrition; and antibodies (which can’t be mimicked in formula milk) which protect a baby from illness, promote gut health, combat infection and reduce the risk of allergy.
Research shows that whether babies have breastmilk or formula milk does make a difference to health; both as babies and in later life:
Respiratory infections: compared to babies who are exclusively breastfed, babies who are mixed fed are three times more likely to get a respiratory infection, with babies who are formula fed nearly four times more likely. Babies who are exclusively breastfed for at least four months are 72% less likely to be hospitalised for serious respiratory infection.
Gastrointestinal infections: the longer a baby is breastfed, the less likely they are to have a gastrointestinal infection in the first year of life. Babies who have never been breastfed have 2-3 times more infections that those who were exclusively breastfed.
Ear infections: not being breastfed increases the risk of ear infections by 50% compared to at least three months of breastfeeding.
Obesity: numerous studies suggest that breastfeeding could prevent against obesity in later life.
Cardiovascular health: blood pressure is lower in children and adults who have been breastfed compared to those who have never been breastfed. Cholesterol levels have also been shown to be lower in adults who were breastfed.
WHY BREASTFEED?
BY Jenny Hemsley