5 Reasons Why Breastfeeding Will Benefit Your Baby

Breast milk contains all the important fats, proteins and nutrients a growing baby needs to thrive

. Breast fed babies tend to be healthier than bottle fed babies because breast milk contains substances that guard them against a wide range of illnesses. Breastfeeding not only benefits your child in infancy, it has protective effects that last into adulthood.

Breast fed babies have fewer chest, ear, and gastrointestinal infections than bottle fed babies and those they do have are less severe. This is because breast milk, particularly colostrum (the first milk produced), contains immune factors that protect the baby's mucous membranes from invading germs. Breast fed babies also suffer less from vomiting and diarrhea.

Breast milk helps protect babies from allergies. Studies have shown the breast fed babies are less likely to develop asthma, eczema and food allergies than bottle fed babies. Immunoglobulins found in breast milk can prevent foreign proteins from invading a baby's bloodstream and causing an allergic reaction.

Studies have found that breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight as adults. Formula fed babies put on weight more rapidly in the first few weeks and this pattern may be associated with later obesity. Babies who are breastfed gain two advantages to help control their weight. They produce greater quantities of the appetite-regulating hormone leptin and less of the fat-stimulating hormone insulin.

Breastfeeding helps protect infants against developing type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes as children and type 2 (adult) diabetes later in life. Early introduction of cows milk into a baby's diet is associated with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes. Mothers who have type 1 diabetes themselves are encouraged to breastfeed their children to provide them with some immunity against the disease. Adults who were breast fed as infants have lower insulin levels and are at lower risk for type 2 diabetes.

Babies who are breast fed have a lower risk of developing heart problems in middle age. Research presented at an American Heart Association conference found that adults breastfed as babies for a least one month tended to have a higher levels of the good cholesterol HDL and a lower body mass index than those who were bottle fed. Low HDL and high BMI are risk factors for heart disease.

Breastfeeding may increase intelligence. One study which followed 1000 children from birth to the age of 18 found that breastfeeding was associated with higher cognitive and academic ability. The fats and amino acids in breast milk play an important role in the development of the infant brain and nervous system.

by: Wendy Dobbs

POST COMMENT

Throwing A Baby Shower You Can Quit Smoking During Pregnancy-let Us Show You How To Protect Your Baby Blue And Brown Crib Bedding: Anticipating Your Baby Boy's Room To Be A Detail Of Your Dwelling Customize your Baby Shower With Handmade Baby Shower Party Favors 6 Tips On How To Plan A Successful Baby Shower Baby Pictures A Guide To Baby Room Decor Fleece blankets have many advantages which suit for newborn Choose the Gender of Your Baby with a Natural Way Tips On How To Get Rid Of Gas In Babies Organic & Natural Cotton Baby Clothes Use Baby Room Stencils To Decorate Baby Carriers Need To Be Easy To Use