Knowledge about breastfeeding is crucial for every pregnant woman preparing to nurse a healthy baby. In light of World Breastfeeding Week (1 August 2021 to 7 August 2021), the MyBelle team discuss the benefits of breastfeeding below.
Nowadays, women, in effort to prevent their breasts from sagging, tend to resort to cosmetic procedures on their mammary glands (breasts). This is usually due to societal beauty standards. Sometimes, to the point where it ends up affecting proper breastfeeding of their babies.
However, adequate breastfeeding brings substantial health benefits to both the baby and the mother. For instance, breastfeeding aids the prevention of breast cancer in women. Besides, in certain cases, can act as a natural contraceptive known as the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). As breastmilk is produced by mammary glands, it is a natural and healthy food for babies. It cannot be contaminated, unlike man-made foods. Therefore, it is full of beneficial nutrients that contributes to the baby’s development. Breastfeeding also aids the baby by providing supplementary nutrients to their brain. A baby that is adequately breastfed tends to be smarter than a baby that was not adequately breastfed.
Breastfeeding also strengthens the bond between a mother and her baby due to prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Therefore, consistent six months breastfeeding for the baby before exposure to other food substances is of great benefit to both the baby and the mother.
Although some women are unable to breastfeed their children for medical or personal reasons, purchasing breastmilk from other women to nurse your children is still a viable option to consider.
For more information on breastfeeding, do check out the World Breastfeeding Week Campaign 2021 here.