Advantages of breastfeeding

During the first six months, breastfeeding is essential and after this period the mother can decide whether to continue breastfeeding her child or not. If you opt for the first alternative, you have to introduce other foods little by little.

Advantages of breastfeeding in general

• It is not necessary to prepare a bottle or heat the food, since it is always ready to drink.
• Its cost is zero.
• The margin of error in the preparation of the intake and its dosage is almost non-existent.
• It reaches the baby's mouth directly, so there is no contamination or prior handling.

Advantages of breastfeeding for the baby

• It has the ideal composition for the baby and adapts, varying the proportion of nutrients, as the child grows; The proportion of nutrients also changes during the day and is different at the beginning and at the end of the intake.
• It is rich in iron that is better absorbed than that of artificial milk and its calcium / phosphorus ratio is more adequate.
• The baby digests it very well, practically without problems.
• Babies who breastfeed have less constipation.
• Protects the child from infections (bronchitis, gastroenteritis, otitis, meningitis) because breast milk is rich in immunoglobulins (defenses that the mother passes to the baby).
• Protects from sudden infant death.
• Protects against future diseases: asthma, allergy, obesity, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, arteriosclerosis and myocardial infarction.
• It favors intellectual and vision development since breast milk is rich in long-chain fatty acids called LC-PUFA, which is a very important component of the membrane that covers neurons and the retina.
• Babies who are breastfed have fewer cavities and tooth deformities.

Advantages of breastfeeding for the mother

• The emotional bond between mother and child intensifies.
• The weight gained during pregnancy is lost more easily.
• Helps the uterus, which has grown so much during pregnancy, return to its normal size.
• It further prevents the mother from suffering from anemia, depression or postpartum hypertension.
• Delays ovulation.
• It favors a lower incidence of breast and ovarian cancer.
• Protects against osteoporosis.

Advantages of breastfeeding for society

• Public health spending is reduced, since among the advantages of breastfeeding, the fewer number of sick children stands out.
• Parental absenteeism is reduced by not having to take care of their children.
• It has a very positive effect on the family economy, since spending on food and other supplements is considerably reduced.
• It is environmentally friendly: it does not need to be manufactured, packaged or transported.

As we have seen, the benefits of breastfeeding are appreciable in every way.

So if you are going to be a mother shortly, you should consider this possibility of having one, which includes a program of preparation for childbirth and postpartum assistance for the mother and the baby in their own home.

Pediatric Specialist