What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
Today is World Breastfeeding Day, a day set aside to look into issues surrounding breastfeeding as it affects mother and child especially in terms of health. Breastfeeding is a personal choice but there are many benefits for you and your baby if you choose to breastfeed.
If you are able to, then it is best to breastfeed your baby exclusively for six months. After that, your baby will benefit if you continue to breastfeed alongside introducing other foods.
It also helps your baby to build a strong immune system, meaning there is less chance they’ll have diarrhoea, constipation or chest and ear infections.
There is evidence that breastfed babies are also less likely to develop eczema.
Research also shows that breastfeeding helps babies to grow at a healthy rate. Breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight or obese later in life compared to babies fed on infant formula.
Scientists think this may be because breast milk can help establish our metabolism. This means that by breastfeeding you may be helping your baby be a healthy weight when they grow up.
Being a healthy weight is an important way of reducing the risk of eight cancers including bowel cancer and other diseases such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Any breastfeeding is beneficial for you and your baby, and the longer you breastfeed for the longer the protection and benefits last.
Many mothers choose to breastfeed because breast milk is free and available whenever your baby needs a feed. Breastfeeding can also help you and your baby to bond.
Breastfeeding lowers the levels of some cancer-related hormones in the mother’s body, which can also help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
At the end of breastfeeding, your body gets rid of any cells in your breasts that may have DNA damage. This reduces the risk of breast cancer developing in the future.
This article was sent in by experts from the World Cancer Research Fund
If you are able to, then it is best to breastfeed your baby exclusively for six months. After that, your baby will benefit if you continue to breastfeed alongside introducing other foods.
What are the benefits for babies?
Breast milk is the best start for your baby as it contains all the nutrients your baby needs for healthy growth and development.It also helps your baby to build a strong immune system, meaning there is less chance they’ll have diarrhoea, constipation or chest and ear infections.
There is evidence that breastfed babies are also less likely to develop eczema.
Research also shows that breastfeeding helps babies to grow at a healthy rate. Breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight or obese later in life compared to babies fed on infant formula.
Scientists think this may be because breast milk can help establish our metabolism. This means that by breastfeeding you may be helping your baby be a healthy weight when they grow up.
Being a healthy weight is an important way of reducing the risk of eight cancers including bowel cancer and other diseases such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Any breastfeeding is beneficial for you and your baby, and the longer you breastfeed for the longer the protection and benefits last.
Many mothers choose to breastfeed because breast milk is free and available whenever your baby needs a feed. Breastfeeding can also help you and your baby to bond.
How does breastfeeding reduce breast cancer risk?
As well as being good for your baby, breastfeeding can also help new mums lose any excess baby weight more quickly. This is one way it can help reduce your risk of breast cancer.Breastfeeding lowers the levels of some cancer-related hormones in the mother’s body, which can also help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
At the end of breastfeeding, your body gets rid of any cells in your breasts that may have DNA damage. This reduces the risk of breast cancer developing in the future.
Help with breastfeeding
If you are thinking about breastfeeding and need more help and advice, talk to your doctor.This article was sent in by experts from the World Cancer Research Fund