What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding offers a number of benefits to both the mother and baby. It is recommended that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least 6 months of its life. Breast milk contains antibodies, hormones that protect the infant against a host of problems namely SIDS, gastrointestinal infections, UTI, respiratory infections, middle ear infections, food allergies, eczema, tooth decay, pneumonia and meningitis. It also helps to promote normal development of the facial and jaw muscles. It is good for mothers too; breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin, the hormone that helps the uterus contract to prepregnancy size. It also promotes weight loss since 500 or more calories are required for this activity per day. It also has far reaching benefits to the mother as women who breastfeed are less likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer or osteoporosis. Other favorable points include: • Breastfeeding is convenient: no bottles to prepare at odd hours, no teats to steril
