30 Facts about Breast Milk | Amazing Facts 4U
- As the body is born and the placenta comes out, a major drop in hormones occurs signaling a hormone called prolactin to get activated which then spurs on another hormone called oxytocin, which actually releases milk.
- If every child was breastfed within an hour of birth, given only breast milk for their first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding up to the age of two years, amazingly 8,00,000 child lives would be saved every year.
- Globally in fact less than 40% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed.
- Colostrum is the first milk produced from the breasts, which is a type of first natural vaccination for your baby. It is a proven fact that babies who are fed with colostrum (a thick, yellow, nutrient-dense milk) develop better self-defense against numerous infectious diseases. It’s high in protein and antibodies from the mother, it contains three times as much as mature milk but low in fat and sugar which are not needed at an early stage which also makes it very easy to digest.
- Amazingly colostrum is not irritating even if aspirated and is readily absorbed by the respiratory system. Therefore breastfeeding can be done immediately following birth.
- Colostrum is a natural laxative to help eliminate bilirubin from the body. This serves to lessen the incidence and severity of jaundice.
- More than 30 components have been found in colostrum and amazingly 13 of which are unique to breast milk.
- Mother’s milk is in fact perfect and has everything your baby needs. Milk changes its nutritional profile as the baby grows (milk made for a 3-month-old is different than for a 9-month-old).
- Amazingly breastfeeding can help the mother return to her pre-baby weight faster. It takes 1000 calories a day on average to produce breast milk. Women are advised to consume an extra 500 calories a day, and the body dips into fat reserves it built up in pregnancy to make the rest.
- The fact is the metabolic energy needed to breastfeed a baby each day is equivalent to what you would use walking seven miles. You don’t need a gym when you breast-feed a child.
- Nursing is emotionally satisfying to both baby and mother. Nursing provides warmth and security for babies. Mother’s milk creates a very strong bond of love between mother and baby.
- The formula contains sucrose (sugar) which is harmful to the baby’s teeth. Breast milk contains lactose, which is a simple sugar and cannot harm the baby. Breast milk completely digests in 2 hours while formula takes longer to digest so formula-fed babies may be able to go longer between feedings.
- The babies who are breast-fed for at least one year since their birth build strong bones.
- Mother’s milk in fact contains high levels of immunoglobin A. (IgA) providing high immunity and help protect against several bacterial and viral diseases. They function directly in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract by diminishing antigen contact with the intestinal mucosa. IgA helps protect against the development of food allergies.
- A substance called the Bifidus factor and lactoferrin contained in mother’s milk promotes the growth of good bacteria in the intestinal tract of breast-fed babies. These good bacteria destroy other disease-producing bacteria. Breast milk also contains a number of other defense factors, such as macrophages, granulocytes, and T- and B-lymphocytes.
- Breast milk in fact cannot be duplicated by artificial methods. No two mothers have the same breast milk.
- The amazing fact is that milk changes during each feeding. When your baby first starts feeding, your milk contains mostly lactose and proteins and is a bluish color. At the end of the feeding, your baby starts drinking hindmilk, which is mostly made up of fat and gives your baby the calories it needs. Offer only one breast at a feeding, or make sure your breast is completely drained before offering the other one so that your baby gets enough hindmilk.
- It has all the vitamins, fats, and proteins needed by your baby in the exact amount for the first six months. Your breasts will only produce as much milk as your baby needs, no more and no less. The amount of breast milk a mom produces has nothing to do with her breast size.
- Mother’s milk is always available and does not get over and it is most economical.
- At night, babies can be breastfed without your having to get up so it means you can continue resting and breastfeeding your baby at the same time.
- Breast milk prevents diarrhea in babies.
- Breast milk is well digested and the baby does not feel constipated.
- Breast milk can be preserved for a day or two in the refrigerator. It does not get spoiled if preserved at the right temperature.
- Microwaving breast milk isn’t the best option as it heats up unevenly.
- Runny noses and allergies are less common in breast-fed babies.
- Breastfed infants are at lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Middle-ear infections are less common in breast-fed babies. This may be because of the antibodies in breast milk. Also bottle-fed and breast-fed babies use different muscles when they suck. Bottle-fed babies don’t have to suck as hard to get their milk. It may be that the muscles that bottle-fed babies don’t use allow milk to back up into their Eustachian tubes causing the middle ear infection.
- The baby can be weaned off breast milk when the mother and baby are ready after 6 months.
- In the initial stages, some mothers have difficulty in feeding their babies and have to take the help of breast pumps. Remember that the best pump is your baby itself so let him do it.
- An amazing fact is breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis. The longer she breast-feeds, the higher the benefit.
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