Breast feeding which is also known as nursing refers to the suckling
of babies and young children from their mother’s breast.
The world health organization (WHO) recommend breastfeeding
exclusively for the first six (6) months of a child’s life; this
means that no food or drink should be given to the baby until six
months and after birth; which will then be followed by the
introduction of other liquid and semi-solid foods, even though breast
feeding will be continued until the child is one to two years.
Some of the numerous benefits of breastfeeding are that it decreases
the risk of respiratory infections, constitute low risk of asthma and
food allergies to babies. Breast milk provides nutrition for infants
as it has a perfect mix of vitamins, protein and fat; it contains
everything that a baby needs to grow plus it also helps in fighting
virus and bacteria.
Exclusive breast feeding is very important for babies in which babies
who are exclusively breasted for month of life without having even
water have fewer infections like ear infections respiratory illness
etc. Breast milk has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein
and minerals required for baby’s growth and development. Therefore, no
need for babies to have something else especially water during their
first to six months of age.
As your baby grows your breast milk changes to adopt to the babies
changing nutritional needs.
The benefit of breastfeeding to mothers is that it can help shed
wieghed gained during pregnancy as it releases hormone which helps the
uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and lowers risk to ovarian and
breast cancer.
Even though children also grow normally when bottle feed (that is to
pump the milk from the breast and feed them using bottle) it is more
advisable to breast feed naturally.
BY ABDULKADIR UMMU KHULTHUM
