Breast milk – nature's perfect food and remedy that no modern technology could reproduce |
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Although modern technology has made some impressive breakthroughs, it still hasn't developed techniques that would allow us to artificially reproduce breast milk.
The bioactive components of human breast milk are so unique that they cannot be artificially created or reproduced.
Apart from the well-established fact that breastfeeding naturally attunes to the infant's age, needs and sex, there have also been new insights on a global scale into the importance of breastfeeding for the healthy development of the infant.
Therefore, dear Moms, you should be profoundly aware of the fact that your breast milk is the very best food source for your child in the first six months of life and beyond this period as well.
Natural formula for healthy baby development
Breast milk is a unique natural source of all the nutrients that a newborn requires.
Today, we are surrounded by various chemicals, which are to be found virtually everywhere, from the air we breathe, the food we eat, water and beverages we drink.
Consequently, it is absolutely essential to give your baby a healthy start by providing the newborn with healthy, natural foods.
And what is more healthy and more natural than breast milk?
Breast milk contains all the nutrients required by the newborn baby. It is rich in the vitamins, minerals, proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates and other health-promoting nutrients that provide the baby with complete natural nutrition.
Apart from being a rich source of vitamins A, D and E, breast milk also contains lactoferrin, an important enzyme that participates in the absorption of iron, another nutrient essential for your baby's health and development.
Breast milk is the ultimate nutritional nectar to the newborn, the perfect blend of nutrition for the optimal growth and development of your baby, meeting all the nutritional needs of your child.
Breast milk supports the infant's immune system and protects against inflammation
Colostrum, the milk mothers produces in the first few days after birth, is power-packed with immunoglobulins (especially secretory IgA), which help protect the baby's immune system against bacteria and viruses and strengthen its immune function.
Before birth, a baby grows and is generally protected in the relatively sterile environment of its mother's womb.
During pregnancy, the mother passes needed nutrients and antibodies to her unborn baby through the placenta. These are essential for the baby's development and fight against infections.
After giving birth, breast milk continues to provide the newborn with substantial amounts of key nutrients and disease-fighting agents.
It contains all valuable antibodies from the mother (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM) that can help the baby resist infections and reduce the risk of developing diseases.
These antibodies are essential for the baby in the first six to twelve months of life, since the baby does not yet have a mature immune system and is often unable to mount an effective immune response.
Breast milk protects the baby against ear infections, diarrhea, lung infections, gastrointestinal and urinary tract diseases.
It can also effectively protect your baby from developing allergies.
Breast milk is also a unique source of antioxidants, proteins that act as protective agents against flu, rotavirus and parainfluenza virus.
It contains a specific probiotic Bifidus factor which supports the growth of the beneficial bacteria in the infant's intestines and affords protection against other harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli, salmonella, enterobacteria, shigella as well as viruses and other infectious agents.
When breastfed babies do become ill, breast milk automatically provides the best natural remedy - the mother's body will produce specific antibodies against particular bacteria or viruses.
Likewise, even if a breastfeeding mother gets sick, her body will manufacture antibodies that occur in her milk and are passed along to her baby, thus providing optimal protection against impending infections.
Essential for baby's bone health and optimal brain development
Breast milk is high in carbohydrates and healthy fats, rich sources of energy for the baby.
Apart from promoting the optimal growth and development of your newborn, they are especially beneficial for brain health, supporting healthy brain and nerve development and enhancing cognitive function.
Proteins, particularly caseins and lactalbumins, are responsible for the development and growth of body tissues- skin, bones, nails, muscles, heart and brain.
As breast milk components, these proteins have yet another role. They regulate the infant's nitrate intakes, thus aiding the insufficiently developed renal function.
Tiny tummies just love easily digestible breast milk
Due to its unsaturated fatty acids, breast milk is an irreplaceable food for your infant.
It tends to be more easily digested, contains the perfect blend of nutrients for your baby, meets all your baby's nutritional needs and is reputed for its ideal natural probiotic properties.
Breast milk also contains active lactoperoxidase, a natural enzyme that functions as a natural antibacterial agent and fights off streptococci and other intestinal bacteria.
It also stimulates intestinal cell growth and helps maintain healthy gut flora.
Among other components, human milk contains a large amount of gangliosides, complex glycolipids that are considered important in protecting infants against diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli and Vibro Cholerae bacteria.
Breast milk also promotes cramp relief and keeps regular bowel movements, a problem that equally affects formula-fed babies.
Due to the ideal balance of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and immunoglobulins dissolved in water, breast milk simultaneously appeases the baby's hunger and quenches its thirst.
At the beginning of each breastfeeding, the milk looks thin and watery, which satisfies the baby's thirst.
As the feeding continues, foremilk is gradually replaced by thicker and nutrient-richer hindmilk, which will satisfy your baby's hunger and provide the calories it needs, thus offering irreplaceable health benefits to your baby.
Depending on the variety of the mother's diet, breastfed infants are exposed to a more varied flavour and smell experience, which may affect food acceptance during the transition to solid foods and shape the infant's healthier food preferences.
Therefore, it is essential for the mother to choose and combine a healthy, varied and well-balanced diet.
Health benefits of breast milk
When exposed to colds, flu and viral infections, breastfeeding is the healthiest way to protect your baby from infections and diseases, by passing antibodies to your baby through breast milk and thus contributing to the infant's immune system.
Breastfeeding may also prevent eczema, asthma as well as other allergic reactions.
Breastfed babies generally have less colic troubles than formula-fed infants.
Even if a breastfed baby develops a gastrointestinal infection, which is rare, breast milk acts as a potent probiotic agent.
Studies examining the antibiotic properties of breast milk have discovered that a substance found in breast milk kills 40 different types of cancer.
Breast milk has the ability to treat and cure eye infections, puffy red eyes and stye problems. It may also be used to cure stuffy nose and treat skin dryness.
Apply the breast milk onto the baby's skin or put a few drops in your baby's nostril.
Breastfeeding protects the infant against:
- upper respiratory tract infections
- inflammation of the middle ear
- urinary tract infections
- botulism
- diarrhea
- Crohn's disease
- obesity
- celiac disease
- cardiovascular diseases
- diabetes- type 1 and 2
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis
- bacterial meningitis
- allergies
- viruses, bacteria and mucus
- cancer-one substance kills 40 types of cancer
- eye conditions
Breastfed babies (at least 3 months) have been shown to enhance brain growth by 30 per cent in key parts of the brain responsible for language, cognition and emotional function.
Dozens of international studies have confirmed the emotional and psychological importance as well as bonding effects of breastfeeding to both mother and child.
The physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, cuddling and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure and provide adequate tactile feedback.
Tactile support such as nurturing touch, bedtime stories or baby massage may help secure additional protection against asthma, dermatitis, insomnia, stress and chronic pain as well as encourage baby's cognitive skills and boost physical development.
Breastfeeding benefits mother's health
There are numerous breastfeeding benefits for the mother.
Some of the health benefits of breastfeeding :
- lowers breast cancer and ovarian cancer risk
- mother uses extra calories during breastfeeding, whish results in recovering pre-pregnancy weight and shape
- alleviates postpartum bleeding (bleeding after childbirth)
- reduces the risk of osteoporosis
Although breastfeeding sometimes requires certain sacrifices and patience, and may cause sleepless nights, it creates a wonderful, unbreakable bond between the mother and her baby.
Therefore, dear Moms, be courageous! Although it can sometimes be very strenuous, it is definitely worth the effort. The benefits are manifold.
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