Believe it or not, the most wonderful food for newborns is “breast milk” itself. And did you know that breast milk mixed with colostrum contains up to 200 beneficial nutrients for babies! Here are 11 reasons why new mothers who are hesitant and might be giving up on breastfeeding should reconsider and think again… just be a little more patient, breast milk is the best!
Why is breast milk good?
- Breast milk contains substances that help build the baby’s skin immunity (Microbial colonization).
- It has probiotics that stimulate the growth of good bacteria that aid digestion in the infant’s intestines.
- It contains nucleotides that help the intestinal lining in the baby’s gut grow quickly and prepare for exposure to local microbes.
- Babies receive secretory IgA from the mother’s breast milk, which is an immune substance produced when the mother encounters pathogens. This is the most abundant immune substance in breast milk, which traps pathogens on the intestinal lining and other mucous membranes such as the respiratory tract.
- It contains T-lymphocytes that engulf pathogens adhering to mucous membranes, helping reduce infant and child mortality, especially from respiratory infections and diarrhea.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for 3 months helps reduce the occurrence of allergies, asthma, skin allergies, and lowers the risk of developing diabetes in the future.
- It contains long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, which are important for the development of nerve tissue and the retina at 6 months of age.
“The first 6 months are considered the most important period for infants. They should receive adequate breast milk because it contains essential nutrients for the body and brain, supporting brain and retinal development. Besides providing necessary nutrients for the baby, breastfeeding also offers great benefits for postpartum mothers.”
Breastfeeding your baby… but mom benefits too!!
- The mother’s uterus contracts faster, helping prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
- Weight loss is faster and helps burn fat accumulated during pregnancy.
- Reduces the risk of diabetes, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol.
- Reduces the risk of osteoporosis and epithelial ovarian cancer.
Many mothers probably already know the benefits of breast milk. Another important factor that cannot be missed is physical contact through “hugging and holding”, which helps strengthen the bond between mother and baby, expressing love and attachment, and positively affecting emotional development (Emotion.Q.), leading to emotional stability and growth into a good adult in the future.
