Breastmilk is the mother’s milk that is fed to the newborn since birth. It is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses. It provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life. It continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.

Here are a few points to show the importance of breast milk:

• Contains the essential Antibodies
  Breast milk is a natural method through which the baby receives the required nutrition. It is advised that the baby must be breastfed for at least 6 months.Breast milk contains antibodies that help fight a number of diseases and help to keep the baby’s immunity system strong. Breast milk is loaded with antibodies, especially immunoglobin A which helps to fight off the bacteria and viruses and keep the baby safe
• Promotes healthy weight for the baby
  Breast milk contains all the nutrition required by the baby in the right proportion. Reduces the risk of disease in the baby. The breasts start producing a large amount of milk as the baby grows. Breast milk promotes healthy weight gain for the growing baby and helps prevent childhood obesity
  
  
• May help in the weight loss for the Feeding mother
  Some women gain weight while some may lose weight during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding increases the woman’s calorie intake by 500/day. However, the body’s hormonal imbalance is very different than normal. It is however important that exercise and a check on the diet must be practiced
• Helps in the contraction of the uterus
  The uterus expands immensely during childbirth. From the size of a pear, it expands taking up the entire space of the abdomen. A hormone called oxytocin is released during pregnancy that helps in the contraction of the uterus after childbirth and also helps to control the bleeding. Release of oxytocin helps to shrink the size of the uterus to its normal size
• Reduces the disease risk for the feeding mother
  Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of developing any kind of disease. It protects the feeding mother from diseases like cancer and many others. Women who breastfeed for 1–2 years over their lifetime have a 10–50% lower risk of high blood pressure, arthritis, high blood fats, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes
  
  

We, at Tamara Ivf centre and hospital, provide all-round patient care right from conceiving to delivering and all kinds of pre-natal and postnatal care.

Written By

Dr. Aishwarya V. Mathikatti

MS (OBG), Diploma in Reproductive Medicine (Germany), Diploma in Ultrasonography, Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology Infertility

Dr. Aishwarya has an experience of over 7 years. She is very passionate about artificial reproductive techniques and she constantly updates herself with the latest techniques.