Health-and-Nutrition/C2/Importance-of-breastfeeding/English
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Title slide | Welcome to the spoken tutorial about the importance of breastfeeding. | |
| Image: Advantages of breastfeeding
Image: Collage of breastfeeding on babies and mothers |
In this tutorial we will learn about:
1. Importance of breastfeeding 2. Benefits of breastfeeding for the babies and the mothers | ||
| Image: Collage of breastfeeding Breastfeeding
Image: From birth to second year Image: Collage of immediate and future health of baby |
Breastfeeding is a vital process.
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: Malnourished mother breastfeeding her baby
Image: Pregnancy tissue proliferation for breast milk production.
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During pregnancy, breast size increases.
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 within 1 hour of birth
Image: Breastfeeding neonatal death Image: Collage of diseases with cross mark on breastfeeding |
Breastfeeding should be initiated within 1 hour after birth.
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
Image: Colostrum containing infection-fighting elements and good fat |
Early initiation of breastfeeding also ensures that the baby receives colostrum.
Colostrum is the first milk secreted by the mother after giving birth.
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: Breastfeeding + 6 month calendar gif
Image: Collage of Breastfeeding and complementary feeding |
Remember that exclusive breastfeeding should be done for the first 6 months.
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. | ||
| Collage: benefits of breastfeeding
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) |
There are many benefits of breastfeeding for the babies.
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: Breast Milk contains bacteria and growth factors
Image: Maturation and strength of intestine Image: Breastfeeding and development of organs Image: Protection of intestine |
Breast milk also contains growth factors.
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. | ||
| GIF: Diarrhoea, baby passing liquid stool
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 |
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of diarrhea.
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: Sudden death
Image: Breastfeeding and eczema Image: Eczema Image: Hospitalised baby |
Breastfeeding reduces the chances of sudden death in babies below 1 year of age.
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. | ||
| Image: Collage of overeating, obesity and diabetes | Breastfed babies have better control over their appetite.
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: Collage of breastfeeding and brain
Image: Brain development Image: Higher IQ in breastfed babies |
Breastfeeding also has an effect on the brain.
The breast milk has components which help in brain development and maturation. Breastfed children have a higher IQ and other skills | ||
| Image: Premature baby (downward arrow while editing)
mage: Suckling at the breast during breastfeeding Image: necrotising enterocolitis Breast milk benefits premature babies even more. 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: Breast milk composition of mothers of premature babies
Image: Recovery of premature baby + gain in weight |
Milk from mothers of premature babies is rich in infection fighting proteins.
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: Collage of lung and eyes problems in premature babies
Image: A mother breastfeeding her premature baby |
Breastfeeding reduces long term problems caused due to premature birth.
For example, problems of the lungs and eyes. Thus, premature babies should get a maximum amount of breast milk. | ||
| Image: Kangaroo care
Image: Maintains temperature Image: Collage of kangaroo mother care’s procedure |
Even Kangaroo mother care also known as KMC, is useful for premature babies.
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: Collage of benefits of breastfeeding on mother
Image: Breastfeeding after birth Image: Rise in oxytocin Image: placenta expulsion Image: Uterine contractions and bleeding reduces Image: Breastfeeding reduces anemia in mothers |
Apart from babies, breastfeeding is beneficial for mothers as well.
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.
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| Image: Development of bond between mother and baby
Image: Postpartum stress |
There are psychological advantages of breastfeeding for mothers
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: Collage of benefits of breastfeeding to mother
Image: Breastfeeding prevents weakening of bones Image: reduction in breast and ovarian cancer |
Breastfeeding also has long term benefits for mothers.
It prevents weakening of the bones in the later age. The risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer also gets reduced. | ||
| Image: women gaining fat during pregnancy
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 |
During pregnancy, women gain fat around internal body organs.
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: Breastfeeding mother
Image: contraceptives used by men and women Image: Spacing between two pregnancies |
Exclusive breastfeeding can act as a natural birth control.
However, couples should use contraception after 6 weeks of delivery. This helps in keeping space between two pregnancies. | ||
| Image: Economical option
Image: formula powder, bottles and plastic nipples on a table Image: Health care cost Image: No requirement of utensils, water and time |
There are some economical benefits of breastfeeding.
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: Environmental benefits Image: Milk packaging Image: Milk transportation and pollution Image: Waste Image: Smoke pollution Image: Noise pollution Image: Waste of global resources |
There are several environmental benefits of breastfeeding too.
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. | ||
| Image: Breastfeeding is the best option | Therefore, breastfeeding is the best option.
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: Support from family
Image: Collage of other tutorials |
Breastfeeding requires an understanding of the correct breastfeeding technique.
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. | ||
| Acknowledgement slide | This brings us to the end of the tutorial.
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