Breastfeeding offers health benefits for mothers in all aspects such as physical spiritual mental and emotional satisfaction. Research shows that mothers who breastfeed recuperate within a shorter time from childbirth compared to those who fail to breastfeed (Bar et al., 2016 (Victora et al., 2016) (Rollins, 2016). Studies have revealed that hormone oxytocin which is released during breastfeeding have a significant function of returning the uterus to its regular size more speedily and is crucial to the reduction of postpartum bleeding. Breastfeeding accrues various health benefits to the mother and to the child which are essential to consider before deciding on whether to breastfeed.
Literature review
Medical researchers and experts such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists insist on exclusive breastfeeding with no food or fluid for the first six months. They also encourage breastfeeding for at least a year after the baby is weaned with other foods and offered a balanced diet inclusive of vegetables, grains, fruits, proteins). However, many specialists insist that breastfeeding is a personal decision and every mother and baby are unique in their ways, and thus no mother should be coerced or forcefully intimidated to breastfeed.
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According to babies are the most significant beneficiaries form breastfeeding. They claim that breast milk affords the ideal nutrition for babies with an almost flawless combination of vitamins, protein, and fat plus all other nutrients that an infant needs to early nurturing process. Experts have also proved that breast milk is also easier to digest compared to infant formula (Shamir, 2016). Other health benefits accrued to breast milk is its ability to holds antibodies crucial in aiding the baby in fighting off diseases and illnesses by protecting the infant form all kinds of viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers the potential risk common to all babies which is the risk of having asthma or allergies.
In their assessment, they claim that babies who are solely breastfed for the first six months, devoid of any foods formula or fluids were proven to have other body illnesses such as ear infections, respiratory diseases, and fits of diarrhea. Records also indicate that such babies have few hospitalizations and journeys to the doctor as they thrive with contentment bring joy peace and happiness to the family. Breastfeeding helps the baby to bond and develop a relationship with the mother eliminating the risk of postpartum depression (Shamir, 2016). Such results are associated with the physical intimacy, found in the skin-to-skin touching, and eye connection which help the baby to feel secure.
Methods
Other immediate benefits to babies are less stomach upset, diarrhea, and constipation reducing fussiness and crying. Research shows that breastfeeding makes vaccines more effective as such babies have a better antibody response to vaccines (Grummer ‐ Strawn, & Rollins, 2015). It helps in elimination and protection against spinal meningitis, type 1 diabetes, and Hodgkin's lymphoma which is explained as a process incorporating the immune factors as white blood cells through breast milk to the baby. The fatty acids in breast milk are also known to be brain boosters making the bay smarter.
The studies further assess child development in the later years where it has been revealed that breastfeeding has a link to higher IQ scores in later childhood development. Children exposed to breastfeeding can gain the right weight eliminating the risks of obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) claims that breastfeeding is integral in the prevention of Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SID), lower the risk of diabetes, obesity, and reduce the risk of childhood cancers.
Breastfeeding also has innumerable benefits to the mother. Breastfeeding assists the mother to keep in shape as it burns extra calories, and has seen many women lose pregnancy weight faster and efficiently. The hormone oxytocin is released during breastfeeding and is essential to the recovery process as it helps the uterus return to its previous size before the pregnancy. The hormone also has a role in the reduction of uterine bleeding after birth (Grummer ‐ Strawn, & Rollins, 2015). Studies have also claimed the effects of breastfeeding in lowering the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Experts also have shown breastfeeding as a contributing factor in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Breastfeeding lowers osteoporosis as demonstrated by studies that pregnancy and lactation absorb calcium making bones denser. It is also advantageous as it delays menstruation by causing the release of prolactin, which reduces estrogen and progesterone production hindering ovulation.
In some cases, the occurrence is considered as natural birth control and protection. Breastfeeding is also a way of saving since the parents are not required to buy and measure formula, sterilize nipples, or warm bottles saving time and money (Grummer ‐ Strawn, & Rollins, 2015). Relaxation from such duties, therefore, gives the mother time to get comfortable, regain strength, bond with the baby and provides time to observe and enjoy the gift. Researchers have shown that the costs reduce in the households and to the government as according to a publication by the journal Pediatrics, the United States would save about $13 billion per year in medical costs if 90 per cent of U.S. families breastfed their newborns for at least six months.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding is an essential practice for all mothers with various benefits to both the baby and the mother. It fosters growth and development by offering the parents an opportunity to enjoy the health benefits of nutrition, immunity, and improved health in the short term and the long run. Thus, all mothers should invest in the practice regardless of how long it takes with an understanding that a short time engagement in breastfeeding is better than none.
References
Bar, S., Milanaik, R., & Adesman, A. (2016). Long-term neurodevelopmental benefits of breastfeeding. Current opinion in pediatrics , 28 (4), 559-566.
Grummer ‐ Strawn, L. M., & Rollins, N. (2015). Summarizing the health effects of breastfeeding. Acta Paediatrica , 104 , 1-2.
Rollins, N. C., Bhandari, N., Hajeebhoy, N., Horton, S., Lutter, C. K., Martines, J. C., ... & Group, T. L. B. S. (2016). Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices?. The Lancet , 387 (10017), 491-504.
Shamir, R. (2016). The benefits of breast feeding. In Protein in Neonatal and Infant Nutrition: Recent Updates (Vol. 86, pp. 67-76). Karger Publishers.
Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J., França, G. V., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., ... & Group, T. L. B. S. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet , 387 (10017), 475-490.
