Benefit of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been biggest issue in the maternal unit, where I work. The nurses in my unit try to educate the mothers how breastfeeding is crucial for their babies’ health and their recovery. Here are some information about benefit of breastfeeding for babies and mothers:

* Benefits for the babies
- Breast milk provides all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals an infant needs for growth for the first six months, and no other liquids or food are needed.
- Breastfeeding promotes proper growth of the mouth and jaw, and secretion of hormones for digestion.
- Breast milk carries antibodies that help protect against infections of the ears, urinary tract, lungs and intestines.
- Breastfeeding also helps to protect against allergies and asthma.
- Breastfeeding lowers the risk of chronic conditions later in life, such as obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and childhood leukaemias.
- Breastfeeding creates a special bond between mother and baby and this relationship has a positive impact on behaviour, speech, sense of wellbeing and security.

* Benefits for the mothers
- Breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract after birth and to control bleeding.
- Breastfeeding helps with weight loss after birth.
- Breastfeeding helps to protect against ovarian and breast cancers and bone loss.
- Breastfeeding promotes closeness between the mother and her baby.

information from Breastfeeding profile from North York General Hospital, Mother and Baby unit (2008.).