Is Breastfeeding Still Crucial In This Age and Time?

Whether you are male or female, single or married, pregnant or nursing a child or even celibate, the issue of breastfeeding is one that you must give serious thought to. It's an issue you need to take a stance on, and resolve to be on the right side of evidence. As a matter of fact, we all need the right information and resolve on breastfeeding because we'll definitely be mothers, fathers, uncles or aunties to at least one child someday or we'll meet someone who needs the right information about breastfeeding. So, irrespective of your age, it is neither to early nor too late to learn about breast feeding. Follow me as we take a close look on the necessity or otherwise of breastfeeding.

The practice of breastfeeding is as old as man himself. From the beginning of time, mothers have always breastfed their babies and it has always seemed non-negotiable for mums to do so. However, recently there has been some reluctance among women in certain quarters to breastfeed their babies owing to inconvenience, overtly busy working mothers, fear of breast feeding causing precocious breast sag among others. Thus it becomes necessary to evaluate how crucial this age-long practice is, both to babies and mothers in order to encourage everyone to tow the right path.

Benefits to the baby:

The list of benefits of breastfeeding to the baby is endless and includes the following:

• It is hygienic: The risk of babies contracting infections of the gut is greatly reduced when compared with formula feeding. This is because feeding babies with infant formula involves use of water, plates/ cups, spoons and other utensils that are possible hosts of disease-causing organisms.
• It is a balanced diet: Breast milk contains ALL the nutrients your baby needs in the first six months of life as well as up to half of the entire nutritional requirement to the end of the first year of life in their right proportion. So, your cute angel CANNOT be malnourished if breastfed rightly.
• Protects against infections generally: Breast milk also contains antibodies. These protect infants from common childhood infections like gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting), otitis media (ear infection), pharyngitis etc. I'm yet to hear of any artificial feed that offers this!
• Breastfed babies are smarter: You can't beat this! Evidence shows that breast milk contains essential nutrients that boost brain development. Little wonder then that breastfed babies are smarter than formula-fed babies, generally speaking.
• Offers protection against allergies, including asthma, eczema, lactose intolerance etc.
• Breastfeeding protects from development of diabetes later in life.
• Breast milk also reduces the risk of constipation in babies.

Benefits to the mother:

• Prevents pregnancy: Mothers who breastfeed their babies adequately are highly unlikely to get pregnant within the first six (6) months after child birth even when no other contraceptive method is used within this period.
• Prevention of Postpartum Bleeding: Breastfeeding stimulates release of maternal oxytocin which aids contraction of the uterus after delivery and prevents excessive bleeding. Mothers who commence breastfeeding immediately after delivery thus enjoy the added benefit of reduction in the risk of postpartum haemorrhage.
• Enhanced mother-child bonding: Wanna feel really bonded with your child? Then breastfeeding is a must for you!
• It lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
• Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of pelvic fractures in mothers.
• There is evidence that breastfeeding reduces the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases later, during menopause.
• Breast milk is free and thus economical, unlike baby formula. Consequently, it saves much needed money for other pressing needs.
• It is convenient: You can easily carry it to anywhere you wish without any hassle, you can produce it anywhere your baby needs to be fed, you don't need to heat or warm the milk and there isn't really a need for artificial storage.

With all these advantages and more, why wouldn't you breastfeed your baby and why won't you encourage everyone you know to breastfeed theirs?
Breast milk is the only natural food designed for your baby, it is free and carries countless benefits for both mother and child.
Why not be an advocate for breasfeeding?
Stay Healthy!