By Fatima Abba Sanda
Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with Breast Milk directly from female human breast(I.e.via lactation)rather from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a suckling reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk.Breast Milk is made from nutrients in the mother’s bloodstream and bodily stores.breast Milk has just the right amount of fat,sugar,water and protein needed for a baby’s growth and development.because Breastfeeding uses an average of 500 calories a day,it helps the mother lose weight after giving birth.
Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants.Exclusive Breastfeeding for six months is the optimal way of feeding infants According to World health organisations(WHO)and UNICEF. thereafter, infants should receive complementary foods with continued Breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.
Breast Milk promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects the infant against infections and chronic diseases.Exclusive reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illness such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness.
Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers;it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancers,increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment.
Photo credit: Centre for Disease control (CDC)
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