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While you make sure to visit the best pediatrician, buy the best nutrient-formula, get them imported fruits and exotic organic diets, get them
each and every vaccine, we all often ignore the importance of this nourishment
designed by nature for the young human.
Despite being all legal provisions promoting the breastfeeding,
all the surveys, that are done, reconfirm that all the sections of the human
society, regardless of our differences are failing together in this endeavor to
secure the health of our next generation. A recent WHO study found that only 40 percent of children younger than six months are breastfed exclusively and only 23 countries have exclusive breastfeeding rates above 60 percent.
What is breast milk?
Breast milk is the right blend of all the important nutrients needed
by the young human. The scientific studies are still profiling individual
nutrients.
Apart from nutrition, the immune system or body defense system of the young one is stimulated by some components of breast milk and it also offers antioxidant protection. It contains antibodies, antibacterials, antivirals substances also.
Apart from nutrition, the immune system or body defense system of the young one is stimulated by some components of breast milk and it also offers antioxidant protection. It contains antibodies, antibacterials, antivirals substances also.
Why provide breast milk to young human and why no substitute is good enough?
Providing breast milk to
young humans give them the required support for their appropriate growth and
development.
It also saves them from many infectious diseases.
It also prevents malnutrition both under-nutrition and obesity.
Recently, it has also shown protection from childhood cancers.
It also prevents diabetes, heart disease in adulthood.
It prolongs human life expectancy and reduces the risk of infant death.
No other substitute has all these benefits put together.
It also saves them from many infectious diseases.
It also prevents malnutrition both under-nutrition and obesity.
Recently, it has also shown protection from childhood cancers.
It also prevents diabetes, heart disease in adulthood.
It prolongs human life expectancy and reduces the risk of infant death.
No other substitute has all these benefits put together.
When should young humans be fed with breast milk?
As soon as they are born,
the feeding should start ideally not later than the first hour. Then they
should be fed with only breast milk for the next six months, which is also termed
as exclusive breastfeeding.
After the six months, breastfeeding should continue along with the semisolid diet and solid diet until the child achieves all the primary dentition and gut maturity required to break the adult food. This generally happens by two years in most children.
If the child wishes to continue more and parents are OK there is no scientific upper limit to stop breastfeeding.
After the six months, breastfeeding should continue along with the semisolid diet and solid diet until the child achieves all the primary dentition and gut maturity required to break the adult food. This generally happens by two years in most children.
If the child wishes to continue more and parents are OK there is no scientific upper limit to stop breastfeeding.
How should breast milk be provided to a young human?
The mother and child both
should be comfortable with the baby having a strong attachment to the breast. The
posture may be emphasized by some but it makes little difference as long as the
comfort and attachment factors are taken care of.
Where should breastfeeding be carried out and are there some cases when breastfeeding is not advisable?
Breastfeeding may be practiced wherever the mother and child
are comfortable with the feeding process, ensuring privacy, hygiene, etc.
A case where breastfeeding is not advisable is only very rare, the chance being less than one in thousands.
A case where breastfeeding is not advisable is only very rare, the chance being less than one in thousands.
Who benefits from promoting breastfeeding?
The child benefits the most, followed by the mother, our society and
the human race.
About the author: Dr. Naval Asija is a licensed MBBS Physician from India. MBBS is the equivalent of the MD degree offered by international medical schools. He is based in Delhi, India, and works as a medical writer, editor, and consultant. He supports medical researches as an author's editor, medical communication companies involved in medico-marketing activities, and medical technology companies in improving their products. He can be contacted via his LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/navalasija/
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