Each year Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in the first week of August to promote the benefits of breastfeeding and build a public platform of support for babies and mothers. Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to ensure lifelong child health and survival. It is an ideal and complete food for infants which is clean, safe, and full of energy, nutrients and antibodies that help protect against many common childhood as well as adulthood illnesses. Breastfed children are more intelligent, less likely to be overweight and less prone to diabetes. Women also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
WHO Recommendations
World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the ‘first 6 months of a baby’s life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water. Infants should be ‘breastfed on demand’ and be continued to be breastfed along with adequate complementary foods for up to 2 years and beyond.
Recommendations of NIH
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), breastfeeding ensures a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. According to it, babies should be provided breast milk within one hour of being born. Research shows that very early skin-to-skin contact and suckling may have physical and emotional benefits for both the infant and the mother and helps in creating the mother-child bond. Studies also suggest that breastfeeding may reduce the risk for certain allergic diseases, and asthma.
‘Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant’s nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children.’
Harmful Effects of Formula Feed
Along with the lack of the abovementioned benefits, the risk of rare but serious infections and diseases such as leukaemia and severe lower respiratory infections is also higher for formula-fed infants. The risk of hospitalisation due to these diseases in the first year of life is 250 per cent higher for formula-fed babies. Formula feeding is associated with higher risks for major chronic diseases and conditions. Hence, WHO is working to ensure that globally formula feed is not marketed inappropriately.
Psychological Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most important factors in creating a lifelong special bond between mother and child. The infant feels protected, nurtured, nourished, loved and secure. It recognises its mother’s smell and feels happy. In addition, breastfeeding may help lower the risks of postpartum depression in mothers, thus lowering the risks of this disorder not only to the mother’s health but also to the baby’s health.
Economic Benefits
Families that follow breastfeeding practices can save a lot in expenditures as compared to those who follow infant formula feeding. Also, better infant health means fewer health insurance claims, better productivity and fewer employee off to take care of sick children. Breastfed children also ensure lower health care costs for the family.
Environmental Benefits
Mother’s milk is a natural, renewable food that is clean, hygenic and doesn’t need any packaging, container or fuel. On the other hand, infant formula requires manufacturing, packaging, transporting, and containers that ultimately may be deposited in landfills. Hence, breast milk reduces carbon footprint by saving precious global resources and energy.
In conclusion, ‘Human milk is uniquely tailored to meet the nutrition needs of human infants’. It has the appropriate balance of nutrients provided in easily digestible and bioavailable forms,’ as stated by the American Dietetic Association.
Is your baby breastfed or formula fed? Begin breastfeeding your infant today. Remember, a breastfed baby is a healthy and happy baby!