Breast milk brings in addition to feeding the baby with all the nutrients he needs to grow healthy, it has important benefits to ensure baby health as strengthen your immune system and favor its growth and development as it is rich in specially made proteins and nutrients for each phase of the newborn's life.
Breast milk is the only food your baby needs until 6 months of age, so you do not have to supplement your food with any other food or liquids, not even water. See 10 common questions about breastmilk.
1. Give all the nutrients to the baby
Breast milk is produced in a balanced way, containing adequate levels of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and water to promote growth and development of the baby. Ideally, he suckles all the milk from one breast before moving on to the other, so that he receives all the nutrients from the full feed.
2. Facilitate digestion
Breast milk is easily digested by the baby's intestines, which favors proper absorption of nutrients and increased frequency of feedings, bringing more calories and food to the baby. When children consume powdered infant formulas, digestion is slower, as no artificial milk is as good as breast milk.
3. Reduce colic
The ease in breast milk digestion also helps prevent problems like intestinal gas and colic, and contains substances responsible for protecting and repairing the baby's delicate bowel.
4. Prevent anemia
Breast milk contains a type of iron that is highly absorbed by the baby's intestines, and contains vitamin B12 and folic acid, important for the production of red blood cells, cells responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. See all the nutrients in breast milk.
5. Avoiding diarrhea
Breast milk is rich in bacteria that populate the infant's gut and make up its intestinal flora, acting as a protective barrier that also helps in digestion and regulating intestinal transit.
6. Strengthen the immune system
Because it is rich in antibodies produced by the mother, breast milk is a natural form of defense for the baby, protecting the child from problems such as asthma, pneumonia, flu, earaches and intestinal problems. This helps prevent serious illness early in the life of the newborn and, if he gets sick, the mother's body increases the amount of protein and defense cells in the milk, making it easier for the baby to recover.
7. Develop the nervous system
Breast milk is rich in DHA, a type of good fat that participates in the formation of neurons and promotes memory, learning and attention. DHA is one of the components of omega-3, an important nutrient also to prevent neurological problems like ADHD, Azheimer and dementia. Learn about other benefits of omega-3.
8. Prevent obesity
Because of its anti-inflammatory effect, children who breastfeed during childhood have a lower risk of having problems such as obesity, diabetes and heart problems throughout their lives.
9. Always be ready to be consumed
Besides being the best food for the baby, breast milk is always ready, at the right temperature and free of contaminations that could cause diarrhea and infections in the newborn.
10. Prevent allergies
Babies who are exclusively breastfed until 6 months of age have a lower chance of developing food allergies, especially allergies to milk, soy, fish and shellfish, eggs and peanuts. Know what to not eat at breastfeeding to avoid problems for the baby.
