Breastfeeding is a natural gesture that offers many benefits for the child, but also for the mother. If each woman is free to choose to breastfeed or not, it is important to know all the advantages of breastfeeding.
Breast milk, the best food for baby
Breast milk is the best food that mothers can give their babies. Breast milk has the ideal composition to ensure a good growth and development of the child. It contains more than 200 components and an ideal distribution of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Moreover, it is perfectly assimilated by the child without risk of allergy or digestion problems.
Breast milk provides baby with numerous antibodies to help him fight against diseases. Just after delivery, the first milk produced by the breasts is colostrum, an ultra-rich and concentrated substance that will cover the child's digestive walls and block harmful germs. The first few days of breastfeeding are therefore particularly important.
Breast milk is so complete from a nutritional point of view that it meets all the baby's needs during the first 6 months of his life. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. The composition of breast milk varies during breastfeeding to adapt to baby's needs. If you decide to introduce other foods after 6 months, you can continue breastfeeding at the same time. In some countries, breastfeeding is recommended until the age of 2 years and even more, but breastfeeding for 6 months is already perfect!
The benefits of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding your baby helps limit digestive problems (gastroenteritis and diarrhea), but also ENT problems (ear infections, colds and flu). It would reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and would limit the risk of overweight and obesity when the child grows up.
Breastfeeding is also beneficial for mothers, in fact, studies have shown that breastfeeding can protect against certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer. It would also have a beneficial effect on diabetes and heart disease. Breastfeeding also makes it easier to regain one's figure, as the body draws energy to produce milk.
Beware, if during breastfeeding your period disappears, it does not mean that you are protected against a new pregnancy. For a long time, it was believed that breastfeeding was a natural method of contraception, but today we know that it is not 100% reliable!
The closeness and intimacy of skin-to-skin contact creates an even stronger bond with baby. It meets not only the nutritional needs of the baby, but also his need for warmth and security. But don't feel guilty if you don't breastfeed, the bond is also strengthened every time a mom holds her child for a hug or bottle feeding.
Breastfeeding is not only good for baby and mom, but also for the planet. No milk processing, preservatives, packaging or waste. It is also much more economical than powdered milk!
On the practical side, breast milk is always available and always at the ideal temperature. No need to carry bottles, milk cans or water bottles. No questions about sterilization. Breast milk is so much more convenient at home and on the go!
The benefits of breastfeeding for your baby's sleep
While there are rumors that formula-fed babies sleep better than breastfed babies, it seems that this rumor has never been proven.this is because breast milk is more digestible and more easily assimilated by the child. It digests more quickly and therefore demands a new feeding more quickly. But we must not forget that for baby to sleep well, he must be able to distinguish between day and night (around 4 months) and must have a stomach big enough to store enough food to get through the night without waking up (between 4 and 6 months).
In addition, research shows that breastfed babies fall back asleep more easily. That's because breastfeeding produces oxytocin, a hormone that helps babies fall asleep. In addition, breast milk contains nucleotides, which help baby to regulate his circadian cycle (biological rhythm that regulates the biological, physiological and behavioral mechanisms of the human being, including wakefulness and sleep).
In any case, to ensure a better sleep for your child during the night, choose a quality mattress, made of natural materials and without chemical substances.
after hunger, heat is often the cause of night awakenings in toddlers, to improve their sleep, it is necessary to maintain a temperature lower than 20 degrees (not easy in hot weather ...) and to adapt their clothes: pyjamas and warm sleeping bag in winter, bodysuit
and light sleeping bag in summer
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