BENEFITS OF BREAST FEEDING

For Infant:

• Helps build a strong immune system.

• Breastfed babies have a lower risk of:

•Diarrhea, vomiting and preterm necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

•Respiratory infections like pneumonia,respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)and
whooping cough.
•Ear infections.
•Bacterial meningitis.
•Asthma.
•Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)and infant mortality.
•Childhood obesity.
•Eczema.
•Type 2 diabetes.
•Leukemia(in childhood).
•Cavitiesand orthodontic problems.
•Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
•Have a lower hospitalization rate and tend to be in better health

Nutritional Benefits:

Some nutritional benefits of breast milk are:

•It’s easy to digest for your baby’s immature tummy and intestines.
•It contains antibodies that protect against infection and boost immunity.
•It has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein and vitamins for your baby’s
development.
•It promotes healthy weight gain in infants.
•It changes to meet your baby’s nutritional needs as they grow.
•It contains substances that naturally soothe your baby.

For Mother:
 It lowers your risk for several diseases and conditions, like:
•Breast cancer.
•Ovarian cancer.
•Endometrial cancer.
•Thyroid cancer.
•Osteoporosis.
•Type 2 diabetes.
•Cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
•Postpartum depression.
•Breastfeeding produces the hormone oxytocin.Oxytocin helps your uterus
contract after delivery. This helps it return to its normal size and reduces the
amount of vaginal bleeding after delivery.
•Breastfeeding is also a special and unique way to feel connected to your baby. It
increases both physical and emotional bonding. Many people feel that the
bonding from breastfeeding may help reduce social and behavioral problems in
both children and adults.
•Promoting faster weight loss after birth (in some people)

•Breastfeeding parents learn to read their infant’s cues, and babies learn to trust
caregivers. This helps shape your baby’s early behavior.