Breastfeeding: Boosting Your Baby's Immunity and Cognitive Development

• Written by Care Health Insurance

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Being a nursing mother to a newborn is one of the most cherished moments for mothers. As miraculous as it may sound, breastfeeding is the greatest gift a mother can give her baby. There has been evidence of the nutritional benefits of breast milk for a baby’s immunity and cognitive development. It not only protects the baby but also the mother against critical illnesses like breast cancer.

Let’s shed some light on this least talked about topic. In this article, we highlight the diet for breastfeeding mothers, the importance of breast milk, the benefits of breastfeeding and much more.

What Do WHO and UNICEF Have to Say About Breastfeeding?

WHO and UNICEF advise that mothers initiate breastfeeding right after the child is born or within an hour of birth and should only be breastfed for the first six months. Children shouldn’t be given other foods or liquids, not even water. Mother can continue breastfeeding until the child wants, be it day or night, without using bottles, pacifiers or teats. Once the child is 6 months or older, you can add complementary foods and breastfeeding up to 2 years of age.

WHO encourages mothers worldwide to breastfeed as it is the best source of nourishment for babies and young children. Moreover, WHO has training courses for health workers to help breastfeeding mothers with skilled support to overcome problems and concentrate on the child's growth.

>> Also Read: How to Claim the Maternity Cover in Health Insurance?

What are the Benefits of Breastfeeding?

There are countless benefits of breastfeeding, as it is naturally designed to meet the nutritional needs of babies. Below are the most common and essential advantages of breastfeeding-

• It helps meet almost all the baby’s nutritional needs
• It safeguards your baby from severe diseases and infections.
• It is readily available as and when your baby is hungry.
• It helps build an emotional bond between the mother and child.

Health experts suggest formula milk does not give your baby the same nutrition and protection from illness and other health benefits.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Your Baby

As you all know how beneficial breast milk is for babies; the longer you give your baby breast milk, the longer your baby stays protected. Read on to learn how breast milk reduces the risk of-

• Severe infections that may result in hospitalisation
• Diarrhoea and nausea
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Sudden obesity
• Cardiovascular disease in later years of life
• Breast milk acclimatises to meet your baby's changing needs while the baby is growing.

Health Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother

Not only babies but also mothers are highly benefitted from breastfeeding. The more mother breastfeeds, the more they get the benefits. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of-

• Anxiety and depression
• Osteoporosis (weak bones)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer

What are the Components of Breast Milk?

Nutrition in breastfeeding meets most of the needs of your baby. The components of breast milk are-

• Lactose helps support healthy bacteria in your baby’s gut.
• Fats that help your baby’s immunity and cognitive development
• Proteins, such as lactoferrin and secretory IgA, protect your baby from infections.
• Vitamins that aid your baby’s overall growth.
• White blood cells that help fight infections and other diseases

Diet for Breastfeeding Mothers

Many nursing mothers have problems deciding what to eat while breastfeeding their babies. To ensure the best quality of milk, mothers are told to be careful while eating, as it is wise to avoid certain foods to protect their babies from allergies and digestive issues.

Nevertheless, the good news is your breastmilk will only affect a little regardless of what you eat. But, consuming anything intoxicating or unhealthy can adversely affect you and the baby. However, below are some tips to help you plan your diet-

• Add proteins such as meat, dairy, beans, nuts, poultry, fish, eggs, and seeds to your everyday life.
• Include good servings of whole grains such as cereals, oatmeals, fruits, and green and yellow vegetables.
• Keep yourself hydrated

Mothers who are nursing are not subject to pregnancy-related dietary restrictions. Eat alternate sources of zinc and iron, such as dried fruit, nuts, dry beans, seeds, and dairy, if you want to abstain from meat. To prevent your child from developing a B12 deficiency if you follow a vegan diet, you must take a B12 supplement. Also, take only prescribed supplements to increase breast milk.

Summing it Up!

Breastfeeding is undoubtedly a magical concoction of goodness for babies. If you are an aspiring mother and wonder whether breastfeeding is healthy for you or your baby, you must know there is nothing healthier than a mother’s breast milk. Now that you have read how helpful breastmilk can be, you must ensure your baby gets breastfeeding only for at least the first 6 months.

If you are planning your family any time soon and want a protection plan for yourself and your baby, Care Health Insurance’s Care JOY- maternity health insurance plan could be your best companion while entering motherhood. The plan includes-

• An ideal combination of health insurance that covers hospitalisation and maternity insurance.
• Promises to cover your newborn baby for up to 90 days.
• Covers 540+ daycare treatments.
• Simple claim settlement procedure to ensure immediate services

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only: Policy Assurance and Claims at the underwriter's discretion.