The Benefits of Breast Feeding

Abstract

Breastfeeding advantages extend beyond the properties of human milk itself. A complex of nutritional, environmental, socioeconomic, psychological as well as genetic interactions establish a massive list of benefits of breastfeeding to the health outcomes of the breastfed infant and to the breastfeeding mother. For this reason, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for about 6 months and should be continued as long as mutually desired by mother and child. This review highlights some of the health outcomes related to breastfeeding such as the prevention of infections, the effect of breastfeeding on neuro developmental outcome, obesity, allergy and celiac disease. Available evidence as well as some of the contradictory results is discussed. Introduction -Breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is the feeding of babies and young children with milk from a woman's breast. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breast feeding begin within the first hour of a baby's life and continue as often and as much as the baby wants. Breastfeeding will give your baby the healthiest start possible and there are health benefits for you too. Over three quarters of new mums in start breastfeeding, but it is important for your baby's health to try and continue breastfeeding, as only 1% of mothers continue breastfeeding exclusively up to 6 months as recommended.