Mother's milk is best food for a baby. No formula milk has been developed by science which is superior to this nature's gift. Breastfeeding the baby ensures right nutrition, development and growth. There are several studies which confirm superiority of this milk and says the kids who are breastfed are smarter and have greater IQ compare to those who are formula-milk fed
Colostrum, or thick yellow first milk from breasts after child birth is highly nutritious with anti-biotic properties. It is less in lactose and fat but full of protein, vitamin A and protects new-borne from infectious diseases such as diarrhoea. A child needs to be exclusively breastfed in initial six months after that along with mother's milk other foods should be introduced in baby's diet.
Mother’s milk contains all nutrients required by baby.
It contains the following.
Energy, protein, lactose, total fat, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3), trans fatty acids
Vitamins: retinol/carotene, D, E, C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, B12, folate, pantothenate, biotin
Minerals: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, copper, iron, zinc, manganese, selenium, iodine
There are countless advantages of breastfeeding. This milk is easy to digest by baby and satisfies the nutritional needs of infant. It gets easily absorbed and improves baby's immunity to fight infections. Some of the reasons why you should breastfeed your baby are listed here.
Advantages of Breastfeeding
- Best natural food for baby
- Baby gets adequate amount of calcium, fat and sugar
- Gives baby anti-bodies from mother’s immune system
- Also contains thiamine, vitamin A and vitamin C required by baby
- Improves immunity to fight infection
- Protects baby from diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia
- Reduces risk of ear infection, asthma and allergies
- Ensures better development, growth and improved intelligence
- Bonds mother and child
- Helps the mother to shed extra kilos at faster rate