The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months in order to achieve their optimal growth, development and health. Exclusive breastfeeding is when the baby receives only breastmilk and no additional foods, water and other liquids are given, except for medicines and vitamins as prescribed by physian. Breastfeeding has many health benefits and it helps both the mother and the baby’s physical, emotional and psychological state.    

Breastfeeding and breastmilk have many advantages for both the mother and the infant. Breast milk has the perfect nutrients that can suffice all the nutrient demands of the baby for growth and development. It contains protein, fat, vitamins A and C, iron, lactose and essential fatty acids – for the development of the baby’s brain, eyes, and blood vessels. Also, nutrients that are found in breast milk are more easily absorbed and digested by the baby compared to formula milk. It also contains protective properties such as antibody and white cells that protects the baby against allergy and infection. Vitamin A which reduces the severity of infection, also has a purgative property which helps clear the meconium (earliest stool of a newborn) and prevent jaundice, and growth factors which helps the intestine of the baby to mature. These properties can be found in the colostrum- a nutrient-rich fluid that is produced by the mother’s breast immediately after giving birth. Also, breastfed babies are less likely to develop diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, meningitis, and ear infection. Development of non-communicable diseases later in life can also be prevented.

Breastfeeding helps not only the baby, but the mother as well. It helps the mother’s uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size after giving birth and it helps to decrease bleeding and prevent anemia. Risks of diseases such as breast and ovarian cancer later in life can also be reduced. It has also contraceptive effects that helps delay a new pregnancy. Other than the health benefits of breastmilk and breastfeeding, it is also economical and practical. It is readily available for the baby and it costs less than artificial feeding. Furthermore, it has psychological benefits for the mother and baby. It may help develop emotional bonding between them since the mother is more emotionally satisfied and baby may be more emotionally secure. It can also help in the brain development of the infant while growing. According to studies, children who were breastfed perform better on intelligence tests compared to those children who were bottle fed.

Breastfeeding not just provides all the nutrients that is needed for the growth and development of the baby, but it also protects the health of the mothers and babies against infections and development of diseases in the later life. Thus, all mothers are encouraged to exclusively breastfeed their infant for 6 months and continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years and beyond with appropriate complementary feeding. ###FVV