Breastfeeding your baby can prevent illness and disease. Women who choose formula over breast milk are unaware that the beginning stage of production for formula is with a cow. Cows milk is collected, dried up and manipulated for use in infant formula. The milk from an animal is not the same as human milk therefore cannot and will not function the same way, no matter how many additives are placed in the recipe. For moms who have trouble breastfeeding, modern technology has provided us with a third option; using a breast milk pump. You can either purchase a manual breast pump or an electrical breast pump depending on how often you plan to use it.
Many modern pumps are trendy, compact and easy to tote around with you. This modern invention has made it possible for mothers to go back to work, to let dad feed the new baby and provide relief for the mom who desperately wanted to breastfeed but ran into difficulties.
Jaundice – The 1st week of an infant’s life is precarious and critical. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of infants are prone to jaundice. The number one way to combat jaundice is natural sunlight, but an extremely important sidekick to sunlight is breast milk. Did you know that the first “milk” that a mother produces is a thick, sticky substance called colostrum? Colostrum is THE most nutritious, jaundice and other disease-preventing substance for infants on the planet. Even if you never breastfeed after the 1st week, it is critical to get the colostrum to the baby any way you can, especially if it’s easy to do using an electric breast pump.
In the US we are fortunate enough to have labor and delivery closely monitored to ensure the safety and health of our babies but not every country is so fortunate. For many third world countries, breastfeeding is the primary way moms fight off jaundice.
INFECTION AND DISEASE Breastfeeding develops the strongest protection for babies against respiratory problems, ear infections, inflammatory bowel diseases and diarrhea. All these appear to be less acute but can seriously damage organs and body system of infants. Again the first milk is the best natural medication for all these conditions. As you continue with breastfeeding, the contents of the milk will help your infants body fight back against the germs attacking the immune system. The immune system built during the first two years of a babys life will have lifelong effects.
THE SKIN The thickness of infant skin and its strength as well as inner capacity to protect germs are other crucial aspects one should consider as benefits of breast feeding. A babys skin is extremely sensitive and with weather changes, air humidity and other environmental factors it is essential for your babys skin to be healthy and nourished.
Babies tend to show problems with infection first on their skin. Because newborns don’t have a fully-functioning immune system, they are prone to problems like eczema, cuts, scrapes, and more. An easy and healthy solution is to rub a baby’s skin with the mother’s breastmilk to keep the baby’s skin healthy. Yes, breast milk is an amazing thing, and it can help a baby in a myriad of ways.
Nothing can replace mothers milk. There is no substitution when it comes to the way nature intended. Many moms are discovering the vast array of benefits and reasons for providing breast milk for their babies whether naturally or with a manual breast pump or electric breast pump. It helps cure jaundice, fights away infections and disease and helps keep the skin moist and protected from our harsh world. There are many resources that can be found at your OB office or hospital on the benefits of breastfeeding your baby. Take some time to educate yourself and have your eyes opened to one of natures best gift to mom and baby.