The role of breastfeeding mothers is very important. Not only for the baby's growth and development, but also for his own health. The various benefits of breastfeeding, from preventing infectious diseases to reducing depression, should be considered if you are still hesitant to breastfeed your little one.
Exclusive breastfeeding should be done until the baby is 6 months old and can be continued until he reaches 2 years of age. The benefits of breastfeeding can even be felt until the child enters adulthood. The longer the mother breastfeeds, the greater the benefits that can be obtained.
Although breastfeeding is more recommended than formula feeding, this choice can be adjusted according to the comfort and health conditions of each mother.
The Role of Breastfeeding Mothers on Babies
Breast milk is the main nutritional intake for infants. Therefore, breastfeeding can provide many benefits for babies, including:
1. Prevent infection and various diseases
During breastfeeding, the mother will provide various nutrients to the baby through breast milk, including antibodies that can strengthen the baby's immune system. Antibody substances that come from breast milk cannot be replaced by formula feeding.
The main antibody in breast milk is called immunoglobulin A (IgA). This substance is mostly contained in colostrum and can protect the baby's body from infection. In addition, IgA can also reduce the baby's risk of developing various diseases, such as diarrhea, asthma, allergies, obesity, and diabetes.
2. Smooth digestion
Breast milk is often referred to as perfect food because it contains nutrients that are easily digested by babies, such as protein, lactose, and fat.
Besides being good for supporting the functioning of the digestive system which is still developing, breastfeeding is also good for preventing digestive disorders in infants such as constipation and diarrhea, especially in babies born prematurely.
3. Sufficient baby's nutritional needs
Breast milk contains a complete variety of substances and nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, which formula milk or other foods do not have. Breast milk is produced through natural processes in the mother's body and contains components that are best suited to the needs of the baby.
4. Introduce baby to many flavors
Every food you eat during breastfeeding will affect the taste of your breast milk. Indirectly, this can introduce the baby to various flavors of food through breast milk. This taste recognition is expected to help babies when they start trying complementary foods (MPASI) later.
5. Increase brain intelligence
Several studies show that there is a relationship between breastfeeding and cognitive development of children. Children who are exclusively breastfed as babies appear to have a higher level of intelligence or IQ than children who are not breastfed.
However, the level of intelligence of a child is also influenced by many factors, such as parenting and family environment.
6. Prevents babies from dying suddenly
There are many studies that show that breastfed babies have a lower risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), when compared to babies who are not breastfed. This benefit can even be obtained by the baby even though he has only been breastfed for 2 months.
Not only the various benefits above, breastfeeding also affects the baby during immunization. Infants who are breastfed have a lower risk of developing fever after immunization than infants who are not breastfed.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers
Not only babies, breastfeeding is also beneficial for mothers. The following are some of the benefits of being a breastfeeding mother:
1. Creates an emotional bond between mother and baby
Breastfeeding involves direct skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby. This physical contact can create a strong emotional bond between mother and baby. In addition, breastfeeding can also provide a sense of calm and comfort to the baby so that he can be calmer and less fussy.
2. Lose weight
In addition to making the uterus return to its original size, breastfeeding can also burn calories. This certainly makes it easier for mothers to lose weight after giving birth and prevent obesity. Not only that, breastfeeding can even be used as a natural family planning method.
3. Reduce the risk of various diseases
Many studies reveal that breastfeeding can make breastfeeding mothers lower risk for various diseases, such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, to heart disease.
4. Reduce stress
Breastfeeding can make you feel more relaxed and calm because of the release of the hormone oxytocin in the body. Thus, the stress that is often experienced after childbirth will be much reduced and the mother will enjoy breastfeeding the baby more.
Tips for Breastfeeding Good and Right
So that the breastfeeding process runs more smoothly, here are some tips that you can try to do when breastfeeding your little one:
- Eat and drink enough to stay energized and avoid dehydration, because babies need to be breastfed at least every 2-3 hours.
- Be patient during feedings as it usually takes your baby about 20-30 minutes to feed on each breast.
- Make the position as comfortable as possible when breastfeeding so that the milk can come out smoothly, for example by adding a support pillow.
- Avoid using soaps, lotions, or creams that contain alcohol around the nipples to prevent cracking or skin irritation.
- Try to pump milk whenever your breasts feel full.
- Check with your doctor before breastfeeding your baby, especially if you are suffering from certain diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B.
Being a breastfeeding mother is a choice. However, there are many benefits of breastfeeding that are a shame to pass up. If you have difficulty breastfeeding, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.