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Breastfeeding benefits both mother and child physically and psychologically. Nutrients and antibodies are passed to the baby while hormones are released into the mother's body. The bond between baby and mother can also be strengthened during breastfeeding.
Benefits for the infant
The health benefits of breastfeeding are well documented. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics,
"Extensive research, especially in recent years, documents diverse and compelling advantages to infants, mothers, families, and society from breastfeeding and the use of human milk for infant feeding. These include health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychological, social, economic, and environmental benefits."
—American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement
Breast-fed babies have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other diseases. Suckling at the breast encourages the proper development of the infant's teeth and speech organs. Suckling also helps prevent obstructive sleep apnea. Also, breast milk is at the right temperature and is immediately available from the breast.
Breastfeeding is associated with lower risk of the following diseases:
1. Allergies
2. Asthma
3. Autoimmune thyroid disease
4. Bacterial meningitis
5. Breast cancer
6. Celiac disease
7. Crohn's disease
8. Diabetes
9. Diarrhea
10. Eczema
11. Gastroenteritis
12. Hodgkin's lymphoma
13. Necrotizing enterocolitis
14. Multiple sclerosis
15. Obesity
16. Otitis media (ear infection)
17. Respiratory infection and wheezing
18. Rheumatoid arthritis
19. Urinary tract infection
Breast milk has several anti-infective factors. These include the anti-malarial factor para-amino benzoic acid (PABA),[28] the anti-amoebic factor BSSL, lactoferrin, the second most common protein in human milk, that binds to iron and inhibits the growth of intestinal bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, and IgA which protects breastfeeding infants from microbial infection.
Breast milk contains the right amount of the amino acids cystine, methionine and taurine that are essential for neuronal (brain and nerve) development. A New Zealand study tracking over 1000 children for 8 to 18 years found small but measurable increases in cognitive ability and education achievement. This remained even after adjusting for other factors (such as maternal education level).
One study suggests that in resource-poor settings where safe infant formula is unavailable, exclusive breastfeeding (as compared with "mixed" feeding where breastfeeding is combined with formula, solids or animal milk) may reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child in infants less than 6 months old.
Unlike human milk, the predominant protein in cow's milk is beta-lactoglobulin, an important factor in cow milk allergies.
Benefits for the mother
Breastfeeding benefits the mother. It releases hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin that have been found to relax the mother and make her feel more nurturing toward her baby. Breastfeeding within a short time after giving birth increases levels of systemic oxytocin. This makes the uterus contract more quickly and decreases maternal bleeding.
As the fat accumulated during pregnancy is used in milk production, prolonged breastfeeding can help mothers to return to their previous weight. Frequent and exclusive breastfeeding can cause lactational amenorrhoea, a delay in the return of menstruation and therefore fertility. Sometimes this is deliberately used as a birth control, method. However, it is unreliable. Many mothers have become pregnant again while still exclusively breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is possible throughout pregnancy, but generally milk production will be reduced at some point during the pregnancy.
Breastfeeding mothers have less risk of many diseases including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, decreased insulin requirements in diabetic mothers, stabilizing maternal endometriosis, less risk of post-partum hemorrhage, less risk of endometrial cancer, less risk of osteoporosis and beneficial effects on insulin levels of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Mothers who breastfeed longer than eight months have better bone re-mineralisation.
On the other hand, some women have thrush or staph infections of the nipple from breastfeeding.
Bonding
The hormones released during breastfeeding strengthen the mother's nurturing feelings towards the child. Strengthening the maternal bond is very important as up to 80% of mothers suffer from some form of postnatal depression, though most cases are very mild. The woman's partner and other caregivers can support her in a variety of ways and this support is an important factor in successful breastfeeding. Teaching partners how to manage common difficulties is associated with higher breastfeeding rates.
Breastfeeding can have an impact on the personal relationship between a mother's partner and the child. While some partners may feel left out when the mother is feeding the baby, others see it as an opportunity for strengthening family bonds. Looking after a new baby and breastfeeding take time. This can add pressure to the partner and the family, because the partner has to care for the mother as well as performing tasks she would otherwise do. However, as partners are often very willing to give this support, this pressure can help to strengthen family bonds.
If the mother is away, an alternative caregiver may be able to use expressed breast milk (EBM) to feed the baby. The various breast pumps available for sale and rent, make it possible for working mothers to breastfeed their babies for as long as they want. However, the mother must produce and store enough milk to feed the child for the time she is away and this may not always be practical. Also, the other caregiver must be comfortable in handling breast milk. These two factors may prompt the mother - perhaps against her wishes - to switch to artificial feeding, either temporarily or permanently.
Recommendations and research
The World Health Organization advises:
"A vast majority of mothers can and should breastfeed, just as vast majority of infants can and should be breastfed. Only under exceptional circumstances can a mother's milk be considered as unsuitable for her infant. For those few health situations where infants cannot, or should not, be breastfed, the choice of the best alternative – expressed milk from the infant's own mother, breast milk from a healthy wet-nurse or a human-milk bank, or a breast milk substitute fed with a cup, which is a safer method than a feeding bottle or a teat – depends on individual circumstances. Infants who are not breastfed, for whatever reason, should receive special attention from the health and social welfare system since they constitute a risk group."
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Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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