Breastmilk is the most complete food for infants containing all the nutrients and energy they need in the first six months of life. It is also easily digested and is readily available. World Health Organization recommended initiating breastfeeding at the first hour after birth. Breastfeeding should be done exclusively (no other fluids/foods including water are given) in the first six months of life and should continue until two years and beyond complemented with safe, appropriate and nutritionally adequate foods starting in the sixth month. Breastmilk contains antibodies that help babies fight off viruses and bacteria.

Breastfeeding promotes optimum growth and development and provides numerous benefits both for infants and mothers.

Benefits of Breastfeeding to Infants

• It helps in brain development. Studies show that breastfed infants have higher IQ scores than formula-fed infants and are less likely to develop behavior and learning problems as they grow older;
• It increases child’s immunity and lowers the risk of having asthma and allergies since breastmilk contains antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria;
• It reduces the incidence of infectious diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, ear infection, respiratory tract illness bacterial meningitis, urinary tract infection, bacteremia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and late onset sepsis in preterm infants;
• Decreases rates of sudden infant death syndrome in the first year of life;
• Breastfeeding creates special bond between mother and child which has a positive outcomes in terms of behavior and sense of well-being; and
• It lowers the risk of chronic conditions in their adulthood such as obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Benefits of Breastfeeding to Mothers

• It reduces post-partum bleeding;
• Reduces the risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer;
• Temporarily pauses ovulation and menstruation which will help in maintaining iron status and may act as a form of contraception due to lactational amenorrhea.
• It helps to lose weight and return to pre-pregnancy weight.
• Convenient and inexpensive.

With all these benefits, breastfeeding is and will always be the best food for babies. It provides greater impact on child nutrition, health and development and ensures better opportunity and quality of life in the future. (BLVMEstrella)

Sources:

World Health Organization

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

American Academy of Pediatrics