A child’s nutrition, especially at the youngest age, is a significant factor that affects its proper growth and development. When we talk about “natural” nutrition, then we mean breastfeeding and feeding only with the mother’s milk. The pediatritions recommend exclusive breastfeeding, whenever possible, for the first 4-6 months after birth. This recommendation stems from numerous scientific findings, according to which breast milk is the perfect food for every newborn child.
A child’s nutrition, especially at the youngest age, is a significant factor that affects its proper growth and development. When we talk about “natural” nutrition, then we mean breastfeeding and feeding only with the mother’s milk. We, pediatricians, recommend exclusive breastfeeding, whenever possible, for the first 4-6 months after birth. This recommendation stems from numerous scientific findings, according to which breast milk is the perfect food for every newborn child.
ADVANTAGES
Breastfeeding has many advantages:
- Easy digestibility (digestion).
Breast milk is rich in enzymes (proteolytic and saccharolytic), which are activated in the stomach and metabolize the milk’s nutrients. Digestion in the stomach takes 1-2 hours, facilitating passage through the intestines.
- A practical advantage.
In general, we can say that breast milk is sterile, warm, and available to the child at any time when he needs food. Its previous special preparation is unnecessary (unlike formula feeding). Breast milk is always clean, warm, and safe! Psychological advantage
The child, in principle, is born with two instincts. One is the “maintenance drive,” which is manifested by sucking, and the other is the “warm hug drive.” Both urges are simultaneously satisfied by the child during breastfeeding and direct contact with the mother.
- Antiallergic effect of breast milk
It’s proved that a child who is fed only with their mother’s milk cannot have an elementary allergy. Furthermore, exclusive breastfeeding also reduces the risk of allergic reactions in children’s later life.
- Anti-infective role
Breast milk contains numerous immune factors (about 32 proven) that protect the child from various infections. Colostrum (the first milk secreted by the mother’s breasts after the child’s birth) is particularly rich in anti-infective factors with which the mother passively “immunizes” her newborn child.
- Economic advantage.
Breast milk also has economic benefits. Namely, it is free, always available, and does not burden the family budget. Breastfeeding is also important for society because it is ecological (no pollution). At the same time, healthcare costs are reduced because breastfed children get sick less often.
Breastfeeding also protects the mother’s health.
It enables the return of pre-pregnancy weight within a period of 12 months (with breastfeeding, the mother loses calories). Also, breastfeeding mothers have a reduced risk of osteoporosis and breast and genital diseases.
Breastfeeding has a certain contraceptive effect (only in frequent and intensive breastfeeding).
From all this, it becomes clear that breastfeeding is vital for every child. Modern women in the world are educated and realize all the benefits of breastfeeding for themselves and for their children.
We are happy that we have a tradition of breastfeeding. But we will also agree that it is necessary to provide certain preconditions for its initiation and maintenance. Breastfeeding is a new skill and experience for the mother and each newborn child. A standardized but individualized approach to each mother-child is the most appropriate way to success.
