10 amazing reasons why breast is best for babies

AS NEW RESEARCH CONFIRMS THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING, LISA SALMON LEARNS WHY IT’S SO GOOD FOR MUM AND BABY

MOST people know that breastfeeding is one of the best ways to help a baby thrive. And now it seems a mother’s milk has beneficial effects even when her child reaches adulthood.

New University of Toronto research has found that if people genetically at risk of becoming obese are exclusively breastfed as a baby it can help ward off weight gain when they’re young adults.

The study is part of a body of evidence about the benefits of breastfeeding – yet the World Health Organisation says nearly two out of three infants aren’t exclusively breastfed for the recommended six months – a rate that hasn’t improved in 20 years.

When asked, 80% of the women who stopped breastfeeding before six months, said they would have liked to continue for longer, but often lacked support and guidance.

“Our society is letting mothers down – there needs to be much more investment in breastfeeding support and education,” says NCT breastfeeding counsellor Cordelia Uys, a breastfeeding expert for the holistic new mums’ wellness app Biamother (biamother.com).

“Breastfeeding confers numerous health protections on both mother and child and creates a strong sense of emotional connection. In addition, for a mother to see her baby growing and thriving on her milk can be one of the most satisfying and rewarding experiences of her life.”

Here, Cordelia outlines ten surprising breastfeeding facts...

1

BREAST MILK IS PERSONALISED MEDICINE

THERE are numerous antiviral and antibacterial properties in breast milk that protect a baby from infection. These infection-fighting properties are being continually updated in response to the mother and baby’s environment.

When a mother’s body encounters a new germ, her mature immune system will deploy millions of white blood cells to fight it off and quickly pass them on to her baby via her milk.

2

BREAST MILK HAS STEM CELLS

EVERY time a mother breastfeeds her baby, stem cells in

Breast milk has antiviral and antibacterial properties

her breast milk cross the baby’s gut and into their blood, and then travel to all the baby’s organs, including their brain. These stem cells are capable of becoming functioning cells all over the infant’s body. It’s believed they can boost and support the infant’s optimal development and protect them against infectious diseases.

3

IT HAS TO BE LEARNED

MANY people think that breastfeeding will come naturally to mothers, but in fact, for all female