KOCHI:Are you a mother who has delivered recently and want to shed the excess weight gained during pregnancy? Then, breastfeeding is the best strategy. As per studies, breastfeeding mothers shed weight at a faster pace and can regain their shape quickly.
Breastfeeding minimizes the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and diabetes among mothers. Breastfeeding reduces bleeding after delivery and helps mothers to recover fast. It acts like a contraceptive and delays next pregnancy. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and diabetes of mothers at later stage. Above all, breastfeeding strengthens bonding between the mother and the baby.
Breastfeeding practices are low in Kerala and they are steadily declining. Only one out of five mothers in the state exclusively breastfeed their infants in the first six months of birth.
Initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for six months of birth are two globally proven strategies to reduce deaths, diseases and malnutrition among children. As per the ‘Lancet’ medical journal, breastfeeding could prevent 13 per cent of death of children below five years. If all mothers in Kerala breastfeed their infants, it could avert death of 800 infants every year in the state.
Want a smart and healthy baby
If yes, breastfeed them. According to studies, breast-fed babies have five to eight IQ points more than bottle-fed babies. Breast milk is critical for brain development.
Breast-fed infants are less likely to have infections, pneumonia, ear infections and intestinal illnesses. Breast-fed infants are less likely to have chronic conditions like diabetes, heart diseases, asthma and cancer later in their life.
Breast-milk is a magic food
Breast-milk is a magic food which provides many benefits to children besides preventing death and malnutrition to children.
It is the best vaccination of the baby at birth. It contains antibodies. Breast-milk contains ideal balance of nutrients that infants can easily digest.