Not only does breast milk protect infants immune systems, but breastfeeding also has health benefits for moms.
- For the baby, the main benefit of breast milk is immune. In addition to being composed of all the nutrients for babies, breast milk is uniquely designed to protect them against bacterial, viral and parasitic infections.
- For moms, breastfeeding time promotes the release of hormones that help reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, breastfeeding mothers tend to recover more quickly from childbirth.
- Immunologically, research shows that mothers who have breastfed one or more children have a lower risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer than women who have never breastfed.
“An ideal food that covers all the nutritional needs of an infant at different stages of growth up to 6 months after birth” : This is how a study in the journal Nutrients describes breast milk. After 6 months, in addition to mother’s milk, other foods should be gradually introduced into babies’ diets, including iron-rich foods, pureed meat, vegetables and fruits, which are essential for the child’s development.
But why does breast milk continue to be “the” benchmark that infant formulas seek to imitate? “The list of reasons just keeps getting longer.”says American nutritionist Barbara Intermill in a article.
Breast milk boosts infant immunity
For the baby, the main benefit is immune. In addition to being composed of all the nutrients for babies, breast milk is uniquely designed to protect them against bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. “Overall, breastfed infants tend to have fewer health complications than formula-fed infants.”according to the dietitian. A 2022 study also showed that breast milk helps reduce the risk of diarrhea and respiratory infections, but also prevents ear infections and type 2 diabetes. Other work here and there has also shown that mother’s milk promotes the baby’s heart development and improves the diversity of its intestinal microbiota.
What about moms? Several scientific studies have revealed that breastfeeding moments between mother and child promote the release of hormones that help reduce stress and anxiety. These privileged interactions would constitute a “psycho-neuro-immunological advantage for mothers”improving their mental, emotional and physical health.
Lower cancer risk for breastfeeding mothers
Additionally, breastfeeding mothers tend to recover more quickly from childbirth. “That’s partly because she’s burning about 500 extra calories a day to produce milk for her little one.” Still on the immunological level, research also shows that mothers who have breastfed one or more children have a lower risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer than women who have never breastfed.
Last but not least, according to Barbara Intermill, breastfeeding mothers tend to sleep more than those who have to prepare formula for their baby.
