AXA Mansard on health benefits of breast feeding for ‘Mum and Baby’

Choosing to breast feed a newborn is one of the biggest decisions parents will have to make. With a myriad of alternative feeding options – both affordable and premium priced– parents are spoiled for choice. However, health care professionals argue that exclusive breastfeeding is best for a child’s first six months of life.

Ideally this would be standard practice by new nursing mothers, but it might not always be the case. For health or other personal reasons, some women may be unable to breastfeed their new infants. Many of which have to turn to feeding formulas.

In order to appreciate the stance of most healthcare professionals on this issue, it is important to understand the qualities of breast milk. Firstly, it’s a free source of most nutri

tional elements needed by the infant. Elements such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates, probiotics, white blood cells and water are all components of breast milk. Apart from its rich constitution, it is also easy to digest – a particularly desirable quality that prevents more colic in babies than infant formulas.

Mothers who are able to breastfeed enjoy a few more benefits than their peers who do not. The benefits for both participants involved are listed below.

Benefits for baby, breastfeeding decreases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in the first year of life. It’s also been associated in the prevention of infants developing asthma, eczema and food allergies; breastfeeding increases resistance to infections, thus reducing the frequency of hospital visits.