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Find Out Why World Breastfeeding Week is So Important for Both Mother and Baby!

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Published on August 6, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes



Being a mother is a beautiful feeling. A unique bond gets forged between a mother and her child from the moment she conceives. And after delivery, one of the first motherly acts a woman gets to do is breastfeed her baby. To honour this act, World Breastfeeding Week has been celebrated globally since 1990. It's important not just from an emotional point of view. Breastfeeding also has many real health benefits for both the lactating mother and the child. So, why is breastmilk considered to be the ideal food for the new-born and why do global agencies like WHO and UNICEF attach so much importance to it? Read on to learn about the many benefits of breastfeeding.

Why is Breastfeeding Important for Your Baby?

1. Breast milk keeps your baby healthy: Breast milk is loaded with vitamins, protein, and fat in the right proportions. Considered to be a wonder food that cannot be replaced with formula feed, breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients that a child needs during the first 6 months after birth. It is also easily digestible, helps build immunity, and protects the little one against infections and diseases.
2. Breast milk changes constantly to meet the baby’s needs: The volume and composition of the milk changes as the baby grows. Soon after delivery, the breasts produce pre milk, which is a thick and yellowish fluid called colostrum. This first milk, which is high in protein and low in sugar, boosts your baby’s immunity and helps in developing the digestive tract. It is also packed with antibodies that help the baby fight off different viruses and bacteria. After 3-4 days, the breasts start producing full milk that is high in calories and necessary for a growing child.
3. Promotes immunity against diseases: The immunity-boosting antibodies and healthy enzymes present in breast milk help a baby to fight infections. Apart from antibodies, the milk is also rich in immunoglobulin A (IgA) that keeps the baby from falling sick by forming a protective layer in the nose, throat and digestive system. Breastfed babies have a stronger immune system and those who have not been breast-fed are at a higher risk of getting infections, allergies, diabetes, obesity, cancers etc.
4. Breast milk is always ready and good for the environment: Breast milk is available whenever your baby needs it. It is fresh, safe and hygienic. It is also good for the environment as there is no wastage. In case of formula feeding, the plastic feeding bottles are a threat to the environment.

Why is Breastfeeding Important for the Mother?

1. Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Certain Cancers Such as Breast Cancer: Women who breastfeed are less likely to develop cancer later in life compared to those who do not. This is because nursing mothers tend to shed breast tissue and generate new ones.  As a result, the cells with potential DNA damage get removed from the body. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
2. Reduced risk of postpartum depression in the mother: Most mothers develop postpartum depression shortly after childbirth. According to a 2012 study, lactating mothers are less likely to experience mood swings, anxiety, or crying spells as lactation helps in releasing feel-good hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin that helps in elevating the overall mood. 
3. Promotes post-pregnancy weight loss: Breastfeeding burns about 500 extra calories a day, thereby, promoting faster post-pregnancy weight loss. This loss can be noticed after 3 months of lactation.
4. Helps the uterus contract in a proper manner: During pregnancy, the uterus grows both in size and weight. Breastfeeding releases oxytocin that reduces post-delivery uterine bleeding, helping the uterus to contract to its original size.
5. Strengthens the bond with the baby: Breastfeeding helps develop an exclusive bond between the mother and child. When you hold your baby for feeding, they can feel, smell and see you. This bonding developed during the first few years of life helps reduce any social and behavioural problems later.

Conclusion

Every year, during the World Breastfeeding Week, the importance of breastfeeding and breast milk are brought to light. So, keep the above benefits in mind, and give your child the biggest gift of life with breastfeeding. You should also explore health insurance plans the moment your baby is eligible to add on to the protective shield that breast milk provides.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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• Pregnancy and Childbirth – The Do’s and The Don’ts
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