This week, August 1 to August 7, is the World Breastfeeding Week. The WHO wants to promote its theme, "Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet," by working with UNICEF to call governments to promote and protect women's access to counseling about breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding benefits include health, nutritional, and emotional wellbeing of both the baby and the mom. Here are some breastfeeding facts that every mom should know.
Breastfeeding facts
Breastfeeding is best for babies up to two years of age, as recommended by WHO. Surprisingly, kids nurse until four years old in many cultures.
Read also: COVID-19: Can I Continue Breastfeeding After Getting the Disease?
Sweden has a 98 percent rate of breastfeeding moms partly because it has the world's most generous parental leave policies.
Breastfeeding in public finally became legal across all fifty states in 2018.
Breast milk facts
Colostrum is the first few drops breastmilk moms produce after giving birth. It is rich in calcium, protein, minerals, and antibodies that babies need to survive their first few days on Earth.
When you or your baby is sick, your breast milk produces more antibodies to fight off illness.
Towards the end of the day, your breast milk contains more serotonin to promote sleep.
Read also: Relactation: The Answer to Formula Shortage
The food that mothers eat affects the taste and scent of breast milk. It helps your baby to be familiar with the taste of solid food.
Breastfeeding mother facts
Breastfeeding moms burn between 400 to 600 calories. It is no wonder you feel hungry after your baby feeds.
During breastfeeding, your body produces oxytocin and prolactin that make you happy. It is one reason why oxytocin is also called "feel good" hormones.
Women who breastfeed their babies are less likely to suffer from postpartum depression. It could probably be due to the happy hormones that are being released.
Apart from that, they also have fewer chances of developing breast cancer, according to studies.
Read also: Breast Milk Jaundice: Getting to Know its Fundamentals
Moms get 98 percent protection from getting pregnant during the first six months of breastfeeding.
Facts about breastfed babies
Breastfeeding is an excellent way of bonding with your little one from birth. A newborn could only see about eight to 15 inches, which means that your baby could see your face during feeding.
Babies are familiar with their mother's specific breast milk scent. They know to turn their heads to you when hungry.
During growth spurts, your baby would want to nurse more for comfort. In return, your breasts will produce more fatty milk.
Studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to get ear, respiratory, and gastrointestinal problems.
Children who were breastfed have a lifetime of good health. Other than that, they are less likely to be overweight or obese during adulthood.
The kids also perform better in intelligence tests and are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
An HIV-infected mother could prevent transferring the illness to her newborn. With the use of drugs and breast milk, the infant's chances of survival without getting infected is higher.
