Breastfeeding is not only one of the most natural ways to feed your infant, but the human milk is actually pretty amazing in itself.
Don't believe us? Here are nine reason breast milk is amazing.
1. It's perfectly tailored to your baby’s needs
Breast milk has the right amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates to meet a baby’s growing needs at each stage.
Therefore, a mother that delivers her baby at 34 weeks gestation produces breast milk made for a preterm infant, whereas a mother that delivers her baby at 40 weeks gestation or term produces milk for a full term baby.
2. It's a natural immunisation for your baby
An immune system exists in breast milk. It consists of many substances that help prevent infection and inflammation.
This helps to reduce the risk of respiratory, ear and gastrointestinal infections for a baby.
It also contains a substance called bifidus factor, which promotes the growth of good bacteria in the intestinal tract of a baby, helping to destroy other disease producing bacteria.
3. ‘Golden Milk’ is perfectly tailored to a new-born baby’s needs
Colostrum, or 'golden milk', is perfectly tailored to a new-born baby’s needs, as it helps a baby to make the transition from receiving nutrition through the placenta while in utero, to receiving nutrition through its digestive system while breastfeeding.
Colostrum is a natural laxative which helps to eliminate bilirubin from a baby’s body.
The elimination of bilirubin helps to reduce the incidence and severity of jaundice.
Colostrum is also loaded with antibodies; cells that help to destroy viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms.
4. Its composition adjusts to climate and environmental factors
Breast milk changes its nutritional profile as a baby grows and develops.
It can even change from feed to feed. A woman living in a hot country will have more water in their milk to keep their baby hydrated.
If a baby is unwell due to a virus, bacteria or microorganisms, their mother’s breast milk composition will change to fight against it.
5. It contains substances that promote sleep and calmness
It contains substances that promote sleep and calmness in babies and mothers.
Breastfeeding causes the release of prolactin and oxytocin.
While oxytocin and prolactin both promote a feeling of calmness and relaxation, oxytocin is also a hormone that causes uterine contractions.
The release of oxytocin while breastfeeding speeds uterine involution.
6. It helps to reduce the development of allergies, eczema and asthma
Providing a child with human milk helps to reduce the chance of a child developing allergies, eczema and asthma.
Research has shown that exclusively breastfeeding a baby for four to six months may help reduce the risk of these allergic diseases.
This is most important in families with a strong history of these problems.
7. Breastfeeding helps to develop a baby’s jaw and face muscles
Breastfeeding helps to develop a baby’s jaw and face muscles, through the unique suck, swallow and breathing technique a baby uses to breastfeed.
As breastfed babies use different muscles when feeding at the breast, this helps to create and form a baby’s jaw and teeth development.
This is due to the sucking action used during breastfeeding, which involves complex motions of the facial muscles and tongue, improving the facial development and the shape of a baby’s palate.
8. Breastfeeding and breast milk play a role in preventing other diseases
Research has shown breastfeeding may have a protective effect against diseases such as sudden infant death syndrome, diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, lymphoma, elevated cholesterol levels in adulthood, and obesity.
