Why Is Breastfeeding Important For Newborns? A Guide By Pediatrician

 Breastmilk is a baby's sole and exclusive source of nutrition throughout his or her first six months. Solid foods and liquids can be started at 6 months old, but no earlier than 4 months. “Introducing solid food is a significant growth and developmental stage for an infant”, shares a General pediatric doctor in Delhi, Dr. Promilla Butani. In this blog learn with her more about Breastfeeding Important For Newborns.

Feeding recommendations, including transitions from soft foods to complex textures, aid in the proper development of:

• The mouth and throat
• Oral motor ability
• Swallowing, sucking, chewing, and biting abilities
• Self-feeding fine motor abilities.

Breastfeeding for newborns

Breast milk provides all of the nutrition newborns require for the first six months of their lives. 

This milk also contains the appropriate amounts of protein, fat, carbs, vitamins, and minerals to promote the baby's healthy development.

If a baby is delivered prematurely, the breast milk produced will differ from that produced at full gestation. Premature breast milk will have more salt, chloride, fat, and protein. Premature babies have different nutritional requirements than term infants.

The composition of breastmilk

Breastmilk's composition changes as the baby grows. It ensures that the baby gets enough nutritional balance as needed.

A form of breastmilk produced between about 16 weeks of pregnancy and the first few days following birth. Colostrum is the name given to the first milk mother produced which is often small in quantity. It is rich in fat, protein, and energy. It also provides nutrients that help a newborn's immune system.

After a few days, breastmilk converts from colostrum to foremilk and hindmilk. At the beginning of each feed, the baby gets foremilk, which slowly shifts into hindmilk.

‘Foremilk contains more water and less fat, allowing the baby to stay hydrated. Whereas hindmilk is rich in fat and energy, it keeps the baby satisfied and promotes growth’, shares a Pediatrician Specialist in Delhi.

Guide On All By A Pediatrician

Breastmilk: Designed By Nature. 

Breastmilk evolved over millions of years to perfectly meet the nutritional needs of the infant. Although baby formula manufacturers strive to mimic breast milk as accurately as possible, the formula will never be the same as breastmilk. Breast milk adapts to the baby's changing dietary requirements with their growth and requires fewer feedings.

Breastmilk: A Complete Food.

Breast milk provides the nutrition required for the baby's growth and development for the first six months after birth. The child will grow and develop properly if mothers only feed them breastmilk and no food, water, or other liquids. This is known as exclusive breastfeeding. Breast milk is easily digested. It is quickly absorbed by the baby's system.

Breastmilk: The Basis For Healthy Development.

• Colostrum is the first breast milk that newborns receive when they are born. It strengthens the baby's immune system and helps them grow and thrive
• Both colostrum and mature breast milk contain antibodies, beneficial bacteria, and other substances that lower the baby's risk of infections and problems such as gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infections, ear infections, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some malignancies
• Breast milk provides lipids and vitamins that support newborn brain development.
• Breastfeeding benefits the baby's eyesight, speech, jaw, and oral development
• Breastfed babies had a decreased risk for sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents
• Breast milk provides the child with a safe food source even when power and clean water are unavailable
• Breastfeeding encourages skin-to-skin and eye contact with the baby. Being physically connected can help mothers and their babies bond stronger. This makes the baby feel more safe and can help them build healthy relationships as they grow.

Breastfeeding: beneficial for breastfeeding mothers

• Breastfeeding is both convenient and simple. It normally does not require any particular equipment and may be done whenever and wherever mothers need it.
• It helps some mothers lose weight after giving birth.
• Breastfeeding mothers go to sleep more easily than formula-feeding mothers. Their sleep cycles match more closely to those of their newborns.
• Breastfeeding women have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Breastfeeding for an extended period is beneficial to the mother's health.

Take the Help of An Expert for More Details

Breastfeeding is good for the baby's health and growth. It can also improve the health and well-being of breastfeeding mothers. It is a great way to bond with your kid. Feeding your newborn offers multiple benefits, but it requires time and patience to learn. It is comforting to know that with proper care women can overcome most of the breastfeeding challenges.

If you are facing any challenges related to breastfeeding your baby or facing difficulty in breastfeeding do visit, General Pediatrician Doctor in Delhi Dr. Promilla Butani for more details and treatments that can help you make a good bond with your child!