Difference between revisions of "Health-and-Nutrition/C2/Importance-of-breastfeeding/English"

Image: Collage of breastfeeding on babies and mothers

1. Importance of breastfeeding

2. Benefits of breastfeeding for the babies and the mothers

Image: From birth to second year

Image: Collage of immediate and future health of baby

It starts from the birth of a child to its second birthday or beyond.

Breastfeeding gives a healthy start of life to the infant.

It decides the immediate and future health of a child and the mother.

The benefits of it lasts a lifetime for both of them.

Even malnourished mothers can breastfeed their baby.

Image: Pregnancy tissue proliferation for breast milk production.

This is due to an increase in the number of milk producing tissues.

However, the final size of the breasts do not affect the milk production amount.

Image: Breastfeeding neonatal death

Image: Collage of diseases with cross mark on breastfeeding

This increases the supply of breast milk.

Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months also increases.

It further helps in extending breastfeeding beyond 2 years.

The risk of neonatal deaths is low in babies who are breastfed within 1 hour.

Delayed breastfeeding can increase the risk of diseases in newborn babies.

For example, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.

Image: Colostrum containing infection-fighting elements and good fat

Colostrum is the first milk secreted by the mother after giving birth.

For babies, it is a primary source of energy and nutrients.

It is important for them especially in the initial days of their lives

It has a large number of infection-fighting elements, Vitamin A and good fat.

Numerous growth and protective factors are also there in colostrum.

Colostrum has the property which helps to remove the old feces faster. Detailed benefits of colostrum are discussed in another tutorial.

Please check the website for more details.

Image: Collage of Breastfeeding and complementary feeding

Breast milk is a unique natural food which cannot be duplicated.

When the baby completes 6 months, complementary food should be started.

It should be given along with breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding should be continued until 2 years or beyond.

Image: Breast milk composition

Image: Digestion in babies

Image: Mother passing immune protective components to the baby

GIF: Strong immunity of the baby

Image: No allergic reactions in baby (cross mark to be edited in video)

Nutrients and composition of breast milk are ideal for digestion by babies.

Through breast milk babies get antibodies.

Antibodies strengthen the immunity of the baby and reduces the risk of infections.

Additionally, it prevents allergic reactions in babies.

Image: Maturation and strength of intestine

Image: Breastfeeding and development of organs

Image: Protection of intestine

They help in the development of the lining of the baby’s intestine.

It promotes the growth of good bacteria in the baby's intestine.

Thus, it protects the babies against intestinal inflammation and infection.

Similarly, it helps in the development of all other organs of the body.

Image: Collage of tooth decay and ear infections

Image: Collage of wrong and correct alignment of teeth

Image: Collage of diabetes, obesity, high b.p

Image: Collage of respiratory diseases

Other benefits are prevention of ear infections and tooth decay.

Development of jaws and proper alignment of teeth are some other examples.

Risk of developing some diseases later in life also gets reduced.

For example, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and blood cancer.

The risk of respiratory diseases like asthma and pneumonia also gets reduced.

Image: Breastfeeding and eczema

Image: Eczema

Image: Hospitalised baby

The risk of developing atopic eczema is also less in breastfed babies.

Eczema is a condition in which skin develops red, itchy and rough patches.

Breastfed babies are also less likely to be hospitalised for illnesses and infections.

Breast milk contains appetite controlling hormones

Such hormones help the babies listen to their body’s hunger and satiety signals.

This self regulation is disturbed in babies who are not breastfed.

Eventually this can lead to overeating, obesity and later diabetes.

Image: Brain development

Image: Higher IQ in breastfed babies

The breast milk has components which help in brain development and maturation.

Breastfed children have a higher IQ and other skills

Image: Suckling at the breast during breastfeeding

Image: necrotising enterocolitis

Suckling at the breast improves the breathing in such babies.

These babies are at a risk of developing intestinal infection.

For example, Diarrhea and Necrotising enterocolitis which is known as NEC.

NEC is a serious condition caused due to infection and damage to the intestine.

Breast milk protects premature babies from this infection.

Image: Recovery of premature baby + gain in weight

It also contains intestinal protective growth promoting factors.

High concentration of specific amino acids and good bacteria is also present.

These amino acids are essential for growth in premature infants.

Thus, breast milk helps in preventing infections and gaining weight.

Image: A mother breastfeeding her premature baby

For example, problems of the lungs and eyes.

Thus, premature babies should get a maximum amount of breast milk.

Image: Maintains temperature

Image: Collage of kangaroo mother care’s procedure

It improves the frequency and duration of breastfeeding in them.

Skin to skin contact during KMC helps maintain the baby’s body temperature.

It also helps in stabilising the baby’s heartbeat and oxygen levels in blood.

The procedure for kangaroo mother care has been explained in another tutorial.

Image: Breastfeeding after birth

Image: Rise in oxytocin

Image: placenta expulsion

Image: Uterine contractions and bleeding reduces

Image: Breastfeeding reduces anemia in mothers

The benefits are immediate and long term.

Immediate breastfeeding after childbirth helps reduce vaginal bleeding.

It increases the level of oxytocin hormone in the body.

This helps in expelling the placenta out of the body.

As a result uterus contractions are improved and vaginal bleeding reduces.

Thus, anemia can be prevented in mothers.

Image: Postpartum stress

Frequent skin to skin contact develops bonding between the mother and her baby.

This bonding makes the mother ready to breastfeed.

Ultimately, it reduces the postpartum stress and depression in mothers.

Image: Breastfeeding prevents weakening of bones

Image: reduction in breast and ovarian cancer

It prevents weakening of the bones in the later age.

The risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer also gets reduced.

Image: Fat in belly region

Image: Collage of diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance

GIF: reduction in fat

Image: Reduced risk of obesity, hypertension and heart disease

Such as, stomach, intestine and liver.

This fat is hidden in the belly or abdominal region.

Excess of this fat can result in insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity.

Breastfeeding helps reduce this fat in women.

It minimizes the risk of obesity, hypertension and heart diseases.

Image: contraceptives used by men and women

Image: Spacing between two pregnancies

However, couples should use contraception after 6 weeks of delivery.

This helps in keeping space between two pregnancies.

Image: formula powder, bottles and plastic nipples on a table

Image: Health care cost

Image: No requirement of utensils, water and time

Breast milk is available free of cost and is best for the baby.

It does not involve money spent on formula milk, bottles and plastic nipples.

Extra time is also not spent in preparing breast milk.

Hot water, utensils and heating fuel is not required for preparing breast milk.

Dirty water or dirty feeding bottles can make the baby sick.

Thus, healthcare costs for the mother and baby is low in the future years.

Image: Environmental benefits

Image: Milk packaging

Image: Milk transportation and pollution

Image: Waste

Image: Smoke pollution

Image: Noise pollution

Image: Waste of global resources

Firstly, breastfeeding does not involve any packaging or transportation.

It does not produce any waste, smoke or noise.

It reduces pollution by saving global resources and energy.

Mothers should ensure to breastfeed the baby from birth until 2 years of age.

This is for the good health of the baby and the mother as well.

Image: Collage of other tutorials

Along with that, adequate support and guidance from the family is necessary too.

All of this has been explained in other tutorials of the same series.

Thanks for joining.