Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beneficial acts a mother can do for her child. Dramatic health benefits have been proven to pass from mother to child through breastmilk From antibodies which protect an infant at birth...to the exclusive nutrients in mother's milk which have been shown to prevent a number of childhood diseases...the benefits are incalculable.
The primary benefit of breast milk is nutritional. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth. Cow's milk contains a different type of protein than breast milk. This is good for calves, but human infants can have difficulty digesting it. Bottle-fed infants tend to be fatter than breast-fed infants, but not necessarily healthier. There is no other single action by which a mother can so impact the present and future health of her baby.
The academy recommends that babies be breast-fed for six to 12 months. The only acceptable alternative to breast milk is infant formula. Solid foods can be introduced when the baby is 4 to 6 months old, but a baby should drink breast milk or formula, not cow's milk, for a full year.
Health Benefits For Baby
Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies
The varying composition of breastmilk keeps pace with the infant's individual growth and changing nutritional needs
Have fewer incidences of vomiting and diarrhea in the US (20-35 million episodes of diarrhea occur in children under the age of 5, resulting in over 200,000 hospitalizations and 400-500 deaths in the U.S.)
Protection against gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis
Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets
Reduced risk of childhood diabetes
Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning),
Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease
Reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Statistics reveal that for every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed.
Protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn's disease and ulcerative entercolits
Decreased risk of tooth decay (cavities)
Nursing promotes facial structure development, enhanced speech, straighter teeth and enhances vision.
Breastfed infants develop higher IQ's, and have improved brain and nervous system development; IQ advantage of 10-12 points studied at ages 8, 12, and 18. (Breastfeeding is considered the 4th trimester in brain growth and development...there are specific proteins in human milk that promote brain development))
Reduced risk of heart disease later in life
Increased bone density
Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional and spiritual development of babies
Breastfed babies enjoy a special warm bonding and emotional relationship with their mothers
Antibody response to vaccines are higher
Are hospitalized 10 times less than formula fed infants in the first year of life
The colostrum (first milk) coats the GI tract, preventing harmful bacteria and allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby's blood
Decreased risk for vitamin E and Iron deficiency anemia
Decreased risk for acute appendicitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inguinal hernia, pyloric stenosis
There are factors in human milk that destroy E coli, salmonella, shigella, streptococcus, pneumococcus....and many others
Less risk of childhood obesity
Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers
Reduced risk of anemia
Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation
Helps the mother's body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss...1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores... can burn from 500 - 1,500 calories per day.
Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies
Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child
Breastmilk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of dollars/per year)
Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and hospitalizations
Moms miss less time off from work due to child related illnesse.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar