Advantages of Breast feeding
1. Breast feeding will help you to reduce body fat that gets stored during the pregnancy.
2. Breast feeding protects one from getting breast cancer. This has been proven by science. Christian nuns who don’t have children have more chances of developing breast cancer. Ladies who voluntarily don't have children and ladies who are infertile also have more chances of developing breast cancer. Research in developed countries like US, UK, Canada has proved this.
3. Breast feeding helps in developing a bond between the baby and the mother. This “ bond of love and affection” is stronger than any other bond and formula milk can never provide this.
4. Breast feeding helps in gum development for the baby.
5. Breast feeding helps in emptying the breasts and reduces the chances of developing breast abscess, mastitis both of which are very painful conditions.
6. Breast feeding provides the most essential nutrients to the baby. Breast milk alone is sufficient for the baby up to the age of 5-6 months. Some mothers continue breast feeding up to 1 year. Most of the Pediatricians recommend to start “ weaning” after the age of 4 months.
7. Breast feeding provides antibodies from mother to the baby. This is an important advantage which increases the immunity ( ability to fight the diseases) of the baby. No formula milk can provide this. This aspect is so important that Pediatricians recommend breast feeding even though the mother is having diseases like chicken pox.
8. Breast feeding is the cheapest and the best food for the baby. Mother doesn’t have to take any extra efforts to produce breast milk. Breast milk is produced as a natural process.
9. Breast feeding prevents the risks associated with bottle feeding. These risks will be covered in next resource.
10. Breast feeding ladies automatically get some protection from the risk of getting pregnant again while they are breast feeding though this is not 100% reliable protection. This is a natural contraception.
11. Lactation helps in normal involution of the uterus. During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges in size. After delivery, slowly it comes back to its normal size. This process is known as involution of the uterus.
Who tends to avoid breast feeding and why?
Ladies who are beauty conscious generally avoid breast feeding. This is seen in affluent society or in case of celebrities. This is really wrong. Why?
1. Some ladies think that breast feeding will alter the shape of breasts, make breasts more flabby, etc. Breasts do contribute in a female's beauty and lady looking more sexier and glamorous. Properly shaped breasts do improve sex appeal. But all these reasons can’t justify avoiding breast feeding. Nature has made a female’s breast for breast feeding. The whole anatomy and physiology of the breast is suitable for breast feeding. Improving sex appeal and cosmetic appearance can be improved by using properly sized bracieres, breast pads, etc.
2. Breast feeding will help you to reduce body fat that gets stored during the pregnancy.
Will continuous breast feeding reduce my milk production or affect my health?
This is a common doubt which many ladies have. The answer is no. Breast milk is produced as a natural process and will continue till the lady continues breast feeding. Sucking of the nipple by baby itself acts as a stimulus for milk production. Some ladies produce breast milk up to 1 year.
What precautions and nutrition ladies should take while breast feeding?
1. Proper hygiene is very important. The lady should clean the breasts daily while having bath and also after every feeding. This is to prevent any skin related problems.
2. During lactation, body needs extra calories to produce milk. By taking consideration of your age and nutrition needs, you should have extra intake of iron, calcium, vitamin B complex, proteins, calories. You should have balanced, nutritious meals instead of sweets, oily foods, fast food, junk food.
3. Drink adequate milk – 2 glass / day. Include buttermilk, curds, paneer and other dairy products in diet.
4. Eat green leafy vegetables and fruits.
5. Ragi is a cheap and excellent source of calcium.
One should take calcium, iron, vitamin – folic acid supplements in the form of tablets / syrup.
6. Have regular morning walk or evening walk. This will prevent further weight gain.
Problems which ladies face during breast feeding will be covered in next resource
Who should avoid breast feeding?
1. Ladies who are HIV +ve should avoid breast feeding because the virus passes through breast milk and the baby can get infected.
Summary
All other advantages mentioned above explain the importance of breast feeding.
Breast milk is like " Amrit" for the baby. ( Literal meaning of the word "Amrit": ‘non-dead’or "without death". The water of life in Hindu mythology. The nectar of immortality, amrit. After drinking it, the gods regained their immortality and defeated the demons.)
Ladies who avoid breast feeding are actually depriving their baby from getting the most essential nutrients.
