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Are you still hesitant about giving your little one exclusive breast milk for 6 months? Eliminate those doubts, because there are so many benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for babies, these benefits are even felt until they are adults.
A number of studies state that babies who are given breast milk have better immune systems, avoid the risk of disease, and have a higher IQ than those who are given formula milk. So that Moms are more confident, let’s look at the following benefits of exclusive breastfeeding!
Exclusive breastfeeding is breastfeeding without complementary foods and drinks
Exclusive breast milk is the ideal food for babies, which is given without other complementary foods or drinks. Safe, clean, and contains antibodies to help protect against many childhood diseases.
Did you know that breast milk provides all the nutrients your baby needs in the early stages of their life? Not only that, breast milk provides up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs.
Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for babies
There are various benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for babies. These benefits are not only felt when you are a baby, but also last into adulthood. The following are the benefits of breast milk for babies:
1. Provides ideal nutrition
The content of exclusive breast milk can meet the nutritional needs of babies during the first six months of life, in the right proportions. The composition even changes according to the baby’s changing needs, especially during the first month of life.
In the first few days after birth, your breasts will produce ‘first milk’ called colostrum. Colostrum has a distinctive color, namely yellowish and has a thick texture. Colostrum helps a baby’s immature digestive tract develop.
Well, colostrum is high in protein, low in sugar and loaded with beneficial compounds.
2. Protect baby
One of the most important contents of exclusive breast milk is that it is rich in antibodies. Where antibodies can help babies fight viruses and bacteria, especially colostrum.
Colostrum provides high amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA), as well as several other antibodies. IgA protects babies from illness by forming a protective layer in the baby’s nose, throat and digestive system.
Meanwhile, formula milk does not provide antibody protection for babies. A number of studies show that babies who do not receive breast milk are more susceptible to health problems such as pneumonia, diarrhea and infections.
3. Reduces the risk of disease
One of the benefits of providing exclusive breastfeeding is reducing the possibility of several diseases. Some of the diseases in question include:
- Middle ear infections: Exclusive breastfeeding for 3 months or more can reduce the risk by 50 percent.
- Colds and throat infections: Babies who are exclusively breastfed for 6 months are less likely to get colds and throat infections.
- Intestinal infections: Breastfeeding can protect babies from the risk of intestinal infections.
- Intestinal tissue damage: Based on research, breastfeeding, especially for babies born prematurely, reduces the risk of intestinal tissue damage by around 60 percent.
- Sudden infant death syndrome: The risk of sudden death of babies who are breastfed decreases by 50 percent compared to those who do not, and continues to decrease again to 36 percent after entering the first year.
- Diabetes: Babies who receive breast milk, especially in the first 3 months of birth, have a reduced risk of diabetes.
4. Baby’s weight is healthier
Another benefit of exclusive breastfeeding is that it can prevent babies from becoming obese in childhood. Research shows that the obesity rate for breastfed babies is 15 to 30 percent lower than for babies given formula milk.
This is due to the development of different intestinal bacteria. Breastfed babies have higher levels of good gut bacteria, which can affect fat storage.
Breast-fed babies also have more leptin in their systems than formula-fed babies. Leptin is the main hormone for regulating appetite and fat storage.
5. Increase children’s intelligence
A study shows that the advantage of giving exclusive breast milk is that it helps babies have different brain development than those who are given formula milk. Babies who are exclusively breastfed have higher intelligence scores.
There are two main reasons why breastfeeding leads to higher intelligence. First, there is a bond between mother and baby during various breastfeeding moments, this really increases your little one’s brain power.
The second reason is that the content of exclusive breast milk in the form of fatty acids plays an important role in brain development. Apart from that, there is also research which states that breast milk has a significant positive effect on brain development in the long term.
Benefits of providing exclusive breastfeeding for mothers
Moms already know the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for babies, as mentioned above. Now Moms also need to know that giving exclusive breast milk can provide benefits for breastfeeding mothers. These benefits include:
- One of the benefits of giving exclusive breast milk is that it helps Moms lose weight after giving birth. Reported by Healthline, breastfeeding can burn more calories, compared to women who do not breastfeed.
- Another benefit of providing exclusive breastfeeding is that it helps the uterus return to its original size. This is because when breastfeeding the hormone oxytocin increases and this is what helps the uterus return to its original shape after giving birth.
- Giving breast milk is also associated with reducing the risk of disease in women who have just given birth. These diseases include high blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
How long should exclusive breastfeeding be for babies?
Still confused about how long to give exclusive breastfeeding to babies? Moms don’t need to be confused because the time or how long to give exclusive breastfeeding has been determined directly by the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO recommends mothers throughout the world to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 months after birth. Reporting from its official website, WHO also recommends giving complementary foods other than breast milk, after children are 6 months old.
These are the various benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for babies and mothers. So, Moms don’t need to hesitate anymore about giving breast milk, either by breastfeeding directly or pumping. Moms can also consult a doctor to find out various information about exclusive breastfeeding.
Have further questions about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding? Don’t hesitate to consult online via Good Doctor with 24/7 service. Our doctor partners are ready to provide solutions. Come on, download the Good Doctor application here