Breastfeeding remains a growing concern amongst young women who aspire to become mothers or new mothers. I’ve heard some young ladies say – ‘Oh I don’t think I want to breastfeed when I have a baby’ and this is because they think they would lose the size and perkiness of their breasts.
Maybe that could happen but not all the time. In recent times, the rate of breastfeeding has reduced especially in the western world and this phenomenon is gradually creeping into Africa and Nigeria but at the moment, above 80 per cent of women in Africa still breastfeed, hopefully, the number will keep growing.
Breastfeeding can be beneficial to both mother and baby. That’s why the entire week from 1-7th of August 2021 has been tagged the ‘World Breastfeeding Week’. The week has been set aside to educate more women and families on the importance of breastfeeding.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says breast milk is the only food a baby needs in its first 6months and hence recommends exclusive breastfeeding through that period, although that could be stressful and painstaking for the mother, it is necessary for the development of healthy children.
The growth and development of newborns are very important, so let’s focus on how breastfeeding can help a child grow and then how breastfeeding also benefits the mother.
-Benefits of breastfeeding for babies
The milk produced in the first 3/4 days is called colostrum and it’s packed with antibodies and lots of calories for the baby. These antibodies protect the child as a baby and also later in life from things like asthma and other chronic illnesses.
Higher performance and intelligence amongst children: children who go on exclusive breastfeeding are said to be more intelligent and perform well in academics.
Breast milk prevents viral infection, breast milk lines the gut of the intestinal tract and help prevent infection and makes it sensitised to foreign proteins.
It is said that one spoon of breast milk has millions of antibodies, the infant’s immune system is still developing and may not be able to fight and withstand certain attacks, that’s why it’s important for the mother to breastfeed, that way, she passes some of the immunity to the infant.
Most of the children do not have problems with their teeth alignment.
-Benefits breastfeeding for the mother
Although some women don’t make enough milk to breastfeed their babies, some others do and can comfortably do that for six months to one year. For women who don’t produce enough, see what you can do to increase milk production.
Breastfeeding prevents almost 20,000 deaths per year from breast cancer.
Reduces risk of ovarian cancer
It helps with postpartum depression because the emotions that come with breastfeeding can be overwhelming, breastfeeding eases it.
It can reduce the risk of diabetes and reduce mothers weight from baby fat.
It helps great bonding between mother and baby
It helps stabilise her blood pressure.
Breastfeeding is cost-effective, other baby food (formula) is expensive but breast milk helps you save the money for baby food to be used on something else in the family.
-Doing breastfeeding the right way
Mothers are advised to begin breastfeeding within an hour after birth, be it caesarean or normal birth.
Not every woman may know how to breastfeed, especially if it’s the first birth. learn from lactation experts/consultants on how to do it properly.
Prepare your breast for breastfeeding by massaging them regularly and moisturising them.
Eat foods that promote lactation like garlic, almonds, oats etc more leafy green vegetables will also go a long way.
For first births, women are advised to read up from different resources on how breastfeeding should be done and the benefits.
Maintain good hygiene both for yourself and the baby. Keep the nipple clean and use a nipple shield if necessary.
Families are advised to keep the atmosphere very conducive and stress-free because so much pressure and stress can affect the mothers’ wellbeing which will, in turn, affect the production of milk and the baby’s health/development.
-Bottom line
The more you nurse your infant, the more milk will be produced but when enough milk is not produced, the mother can substitute with formula but the breastfeeding must continue, no matter how little. Companies and businesses are also encouraged to make breastfeeding easy for mothers by making the work environment conducive for women to breastfeed their babies exclusively while they work but not necessarily inside the office but to be able to take a few minutes to go do it. Breastfeeding improves the health and survival of infants as well as their mothers.