14 Breastfeeding Benefits for Mother and Child

 World Breast Feed Week – 1st - 7 th August .

Top 5 benefits of breastfeeding for a mother:
1.The uterus of a breastfeeding mother shrinks to its pre-pregnancy size more quickly.
2.It takes approximately 20 calories to produce an ounce of milk hence breast-feeding can help in losing pregnancy weight faster.
3.Mothers who nurse their babies for at least 6 months lessen their chances of pre-menopausal breast cancer.
4.Osteoporosis, ovarian cancer and cervical cancer are less common in mothers who breastfed their babies.
5.Mothers who breastfeed have a lesser risk of postpartum hemorrhage since breastfeeding releases a hormone known as oxytocin which facilitates in the recovery of the uterus.

Top 9 benefits of breastfeeding for a baby:
1.Due to the anti-infective properties of breast milk, breastfed babies tend to have less incidence of or less pronounced symptoms of ear infections, respiratory illness, allergies, diarrhea, and vomiting.
2.Due to the digestibility of breast milk, breastfed babies are rarely constipated.
3.SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is less common in breastfed babies. ?
4.Breast milk is constantly changing in its composition to meet the changing needs of the baby. It has the exact combination of protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and sugars needed for the human infant at various stages of his growth.
5.Breastfed infants are more likely to gain the right amount of weight as they grow rather than become overweight children.
6.Children who were breastfed are less likely to need orthodontic work such as braces due to the unique sucking action required with breastfeeding. They also seem to have better overall dental health than formula-fed babies.
7.Breast milk has long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are essential for helping a baby’s brain develop. Exclusively breastfeeding for the first few months can improve a baby’s cognitive development. IQ levels are an average of 8 points higher in children who were breastfed.
8.The bond between mother and child seems to be enhanced with breastfeeding.
9.Significant evidence suggests that breast-fed children develop fewer psychological, behavioral and learning problems, as they grow older.

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  Breastfeeding Benefits for Baby & Mother