It is said that breast milk contains all the nutrients that your baby needs. It is very healthy to feed your baby breast milk for at least 6 months as it is gentle on your baby’s stomach, intestines and other body systems.
But, do you know that breastfeeding is not only healthy for your baby but for you as well? Yes, breastfeeding will help you prevent a lot of diseases and boost your health. To understand this better, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Jagriti Varshney, gynaecologist and obstetrician, New Delhi.
How Does Breastfeeding Benefit a Baby?
Dr Varshney said, “Best feeding provides and manages health benefits for babies and mothers. It is a clinical gold standard for infant feeding and nutrition. The components of this milk are uniquely tailored to meet the health needs of a growing baby. Breast milk is like a superfood for babies. It provides all the nutrients, calories and fluids needed for the baby's health. It also delivers healthy antibodies which boost babies immunity. In fact, certain researches show that breastfeeding offers protection from asthma, eczema, diabetes, obesity, leukaemia, tooth decay, ear infections, diarrhoea, and much more. It is even linked to higher IQ.”
Talking about the components and nutrients that breast milk carries, Dr Varshney said, “Breast milk has the perfect combination of proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates. Leucocytes are the living cells that are found in breast milk and help in fighting infection . Breast milk also contains antibodies, enzymes and hormones which boost the babies immunity. Breast milk is ultimately the best source of nutrition for a new baby and proteins in breast milk are more easily digested than in formula or cow's milk.”
Also read: Managing Mastitis In Breastfeeding Women: Expert Shares Effective Tips
How Is Breastfeeding Beneficial For Mom?
Breastfeeding benefits the mother in many ways. Dr Varshney says that not only for baby but breastfeeding is a boon for the mother as well.
- Producing oxytocin which helps in contracting the uterus back to the pre-pregnancy size thus protecting the mother from postpartum haemorrhage.
- Decreases her risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
- Reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis.
- It lowers the chance of postpartum depression.
- It also protects the mother from high blood pressure and type two diabetes mellitus.
- Breastfeeding can help in reducing weight as milk production requires burning calories and it also uses mother’s fat stores for the production of breastmilk.
Breastfeeding Helps Prevent Diseases
As mentioned above, breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer and also lowers the chances of postpartum depression. Let’s understand more about it from the doctor.
Dr Varshney said, “It helps mothers from not going into postpartum depression as breastfeeding enables pregnancy hormones to decrease slowly, instead of abruptly. It also aids in developing a bond between the baby and a mother.”
Talking about the two villainous cancers, Dr Varshney said, “While a woman is pregnant and soon after she gives birth, due to hormonal changes occurring in her body, her monthly periods are paused. Breastfeeding extends these hormonal changes. This breastfeeding protects mother from over exposure to oestrogen and other hormones that are linked to breast cancer and ovarian cancer.”
Also read: Diet 101 For Lactating Women: Expert Lists What To Eat And Avoid While Breastfeeding
Bottomline
Dr Jagriti Varshney said that new moms should keep their diet in check to ensure the health of the baby. She said, “There are certain diet modifications which are needed during breastfeeding. Nutritional status of the mother has a direct influence on the quantity and quality of breast milk. A breastfeeding mother needs to consume an adequate and balanced diet.”
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. We advise you to please visit your doctor if you have any queries regarding breastfeeding.)