The benefits of breastfeeding

Thanks to breast milk we provide the baby with antibodies that will allow her to strengthen her immune system. In addition also breastfeeding also promotes the health of the mother

In the days following childbirth, the expectant mother has an important decision to make, she must choose whether to breastfeed her child or feed her with artificial milk .

It is an important decision, especially if the mother is new, because the choice determines the child's diet, but also the life habits of the mother during the next months.

All professionals involved advise, without any doubt, breastfeeding whenever possible, because no one doubts the nutritional benefits for the newborn of this food, but we must not forget that it also brings benefits of another kind and also for Mother.

Advantages of breastfeeding for the baby

Breastfeeding provides the appropriate amounts of sugars, fats and proteins , but also provides vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and hormones. In addition, its composition varies according to the needs of the child, vary from day to day, depending on the time of day and even, in the same shot, the composition is not the same at the beginning as at the end.

Breast milk contains antibodies and stimulates the immune system , so they fight bacterial and viral infections better. Thanks to this aspect, it has also been proven that children tolerate vaccines better.

The digestive system of a newborn is still immature. Here we find another benefit, because breast milk is much more digestible, therefore, the child will have fewer episodes of diarrhea, constipation and colic.

Its benefits are also noticed in adulthood , as children raised with breast milk have a lower incidence of type I diabetes because the introduction of cow's milk is delayed. It also protects against obesity by the presence of the hormone leptin, and thus with many more diseases such as allergy, asthma, sudden death, vascular diseases, etc.

Breastfeeding is especially beneficial for premature children because the mother's milk adapts to her needs and contains more calcium and protein than normal breast milk.

But we must not forget the benefits it also presents for the mother.

What benefits does breastfeeding provide to the mother?

Nursing mothers recover more quickly and easily from the changes that pregnancy causes in their body. The suction of the nipple by the child stimulates the release of oxytocin , hormone responsible for the recovery of the normal state of the uterus, the detachment of the placenta and that there is less blood loss, with the consequent better recovery of anemia.

Numerous studies have shown that mothers who have breast-fed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer . It also has greater protection against osteoporosis when they reach menopause.

Finally, I would like to give the importance it deserves to the strong bond that is created between mother and son by sharing such an important and intimate moment, a bond that is maintained for the rest of life.