Breastfeeding : Why so important?

 

Every new mother discovers her motherhood through breastfeeding her baby.  Breastfeeding is one of the most amazing act of motherhood. When my daughter was born, I was a new mother. At first I found it very difficult to breastfeed her. She was not sucking the milk properly. But after proper guidance from the doctor, I leaned the proper holding position of a baby while breastfeeding. So when I became mother for the second time,  I do not find any difficulties in breastfeeding my son.

It is recommended by the doctors that breastfeeding should ideally start in the first hour after a baby born. Mother's milk is considered to be the best food for an infant. It consists all the required nutrients that a baby's body needs for the first 6 month's of age. You no need to feed anything else except your milk if you are able to produce enough milk for your baby. Doctors recommend to introduce solid food to the babies only after 6 months of age while continuing to breastfeed.

It is totally up-to you and your baby to decide when to stop breastfeeding. I stopped to breastfeed my first baby at the age of 2 as because I became pregnant, but in case of my younger one, I continued to breastfeed him till the age of 3 together with the solid family food. Doctors recommend exclusive breastfeeding up to the age of 6 months. After 6 months to introduce solid food together with breastfeeding in the next 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding up-to the age of 2 or beyond which is up to you and your baby.

Breastfeeding : Why so important? 

Breastfeeding is very important for both mother and her baby. Following are the reasons why you should breastfeed your baby :

• Breast milk contains the ideal nutrients for an infant.

• Breast milk is easily digestible by the infants than other infant formula foods.

• Breast milk is the safest food for your baby.

• Breastfeeding can protect your baby from many diseases.

• Breast milk is always clean, free and at the right temperature.

• Breast milk is easily available for your baby whenever or wherever the baby wants. 

• Breast milk helps a baby to gain his proper weight. 

• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer.

• Breastfeeding can help you to loose your pregnancy weight. 

• Breastfeeding creates an emotional bonding between the mother and her child.