Benefits Of Extended Breast Feeding And Link Between Chronic Disease

Studies have shown that breastfeeding has numerous benefits for mother and baby, including reducing the risk of common childhood infections. The protective antibodies found in breast milk helps to combat common infections that often leads to missed days from work and translates into lost productivity. In addition, breastfeeding has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of obesity in breastfed children verse children that were not breastfed. Breastfeeding also helps to

As you get ready to welcome your baby and introduce her to this world, you are flooded with thoughts of how to take care of your little one in the best possible way. You find that motherhood is not only about loving and caring, it is also about making a few conscious decisions to help your child grow in a healthy manner. One such decision is whether to breastfeed your baby or to offer her formula nutrition.

no doubt that breastfeeding really is the best nutritional choice for a child as well as the mother.

Breastfeeding protects babies against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as well as sepsis in pre-term babies. Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight off infections like otitis media and respiratory problems like meningitis and bronchitis. It has been found to reduce the incidence and intensity of atopic diseases. Babies who breastfeed tend to suffer from colds less frequently and have fewer incidents of colic. (Davis)

Infant nutrition is vital for growth and development. According to a Web page posted by KidsHealth, “Breast milk contains antibodies, lactose, protein, and fat…,” which are

Breastfeeding provides unique nutrients for the baby, protects from disease, has health benefits for the mother, and provides a unique bond between mother and baby.

Whether to breastfeed or to formula feed is one of the many decisions parents have to make when caring for a newborn baby. The decision may seem simple in which parents base there decision on comfort, convenience and finance but little do most parents know the decision being made can have damaging long term effects than that of the present. There is plenty of research that state the significance of breastfeeding that go far beyond the extent of bonding between mother and newborn. Although, that too is important. Breast milk is known to contain antibodies which can help the newborn in developing a strong immune system which influence all the body systems. Research has shown that breast-milk can help prevent long term diseases such as

Breast-feeding is nutritionally, emotionally and physically superior for a mother and her child. “Human breast milk is not standard nor is it interchangeable with cow’s milk. It is a dynamic fluid that changes in composition to meet the needs of the baby as it grows” (“Giving your Baby... Diet.” par. #10). Breast milk contains growth factors and antibodies which stimulate the growing baby and protect it from illness such as diarrhea, ear infections, rashes, allergies, asthma, skin problems, pneumonia, respiratory illness and other serious illnesses. Breast-feeding also improves a baby’s chance of remaining healthy. These antibodies are not found in formula. They can not be sustained. Breast-fed babies are also neurodevelopmentally more

They will let you know the benefits of breastfeeding as opposed to formula feeding. For instance, breastfeeding strengthens your baby's immune system, helps create a bond between you and your baby, and aids in returning you to your pre-pregnancy weight faster. You will also be advised that if possible, you should solely breastfeed for the first six months of your baby's life with no introduction of water, other fluids, or food and then continue to breastfeed until your baby reaches one year in addition to food. This will give your baby the best chance at optimal health and development throughout those important first few months. These advantages make breastfeeding sound more appealing. However, if you're still wondering if breastfeeding is right for you, you might want to consider these other five advantages that aren't as widely publicized before you make your final decision. These additional advantages to breastfeeding were discovered by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) during a study they conducted in 2008. 1. Breastfeeding promotes better brain development and intelligence. Breastfed children seem to score higher in IQ and cognitive tests than children who were fed formula. 2. Children who are breastfed are less likely to become overweight than formula fed children. 3. Breastfed children have a

Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for infants as it will help promote health, growth, immunity, and development. Human breast contains antibodies, viable leukocytes, and many other substances that can stop or prevent bacterial colonization and prevent harmful penetration of the newborns body. The American Academy of Pediatrics actually advocates for exclusive breast-feeding, because ideally, breast milk should be the sole nutrient for the first 6 months and continued with foods until 12 months of life or longer.

Babies lives can be saved by using breast milk for other purposes. Breast milk is not only used for feeding an infant. Breast milk serves other purposes that are useful to babies. Breast milk can prevent some cardiovascular risk factors. Breast milk also contains hormones, complex molecules, and cellular material. All of these substances are necessary for babies to have. Babies’ neurodevelopment and cognitive outcome are improved when they are fed breast milk. Breast milk helps babies guts to grow. It also helps babies to have immunity. For example, when a mother goes into an environment her body will recognizes that there is a pathogen. As a result, the mother’s body will fight against that pathogen. Then, her baby will be immune to that pathogen

An infant who is breastfed receives added health benefits compared to a child who is formula fed. In the first few days after birth, the breast milk is comprised of protein, vitamins A and E, and antibodies which help protect the infant from infection. After the first few days, the mature breast milk contains fats and cholesterol, which are essential for the growth and development of the infant’s nervous system, eyes, and brain. It also contains micronutrients calcium and magnesium, which are beneficial to the infant’s growth (Thompson et al., 2010).

A lot of these problems seen in formula feed babies are due to the fact that the particular composition of the formula doesn’t suit their digestive system. Breast milk consists of the optimum proportions of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. It is extremely digestible for a new-born baby because the milk is naturally refined to perfectly suit the baby’s digestive system. The milk also contains growth factors such as, epidermal growth factor (EGR) and insulin-like growth factor. The epidermal growth factor works by helping to prepare the lining of the gut to absorb the nutrients from the milk consumed. Insulin-like growth factor is believed to be one of the primary factors regulating early growth and development. Breast milk also contains essential fatty acids that are not present in most formula milk products. The two essential fatty acids present in breast milk are docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonis acid. Both of these play a vital role in optimal development of the central nervous system, intellectual and visual development in babies. Furthermore, one of the most prominent advantages associated with breast feeding over formula feeding babies is that, breast milk naturally changes composition to correspond to the stage of development of the infant. For example, colostrum is the name given to the first milk produced post-delivery. It has an abundance of white cells and antibodies, it also contains a

Breastfeeding is very convenient as well. It is completely free and not difficult to do. Some mothers who don’t have a lot of money may struggle to provide milk for their child if they are dependent on formula. It can get to be very costly and expensive if a baby drinks a lot of formula. With breastfeeding, mothers will not have to worry about providing nutrition to their babies. The mother and child will both

There is a wide array of benefits as a result of breastfeeding that specifically help a child survive and develop from the time they are born and throughout all stages of life. The more recognized and examined benefits during infancy and toddlerhood include, but are not limited to, increased intelligence, decreased risk of getting ear infections, lowered risk of Sudden Infant Death syndrome, better resistance to common illnesses and allergies (stronger immune system), lower risk for childhood onset diabetes, lower risk for asthma and eczema, increased cognitive development, higher IQ, and increased social maturity.