Breast Milk

Welcome to another series of Food, Nutrient & Health. 

Today we shall take a look at a very interesting topic titled The Importance of Breast Milk in Infant Nutrition.
I will urge you all to stay tuned and enjoy every bit of the article.

We should all know that once a woman gets pregnant, the breast begins to store breast milk before she even get delivered of the baby at the ninth month. Breastfeeding is the way to feed an infant. Once the baby is born, breastfeeding begins. Some mothers breastfeed their baby for a period of one year and six months, some for one year. According to the World Health Organization, babies should be exclusively breastfeed for six months then gradually introduced to appropriate family foods after six months while continuing to breastfeed for two years or beyond. The benefits of breastfeeding begin from the first moments after childbirth and lasts for many years after it ends.

Ill be discussing the Importance of Breast Milk in Infant Nutrition.
Breast milk is the natural first food for babies. It provides all the energy and nutrients an infant needs for the first months of life hence reduces infant mortality.
Breast milk promotes sensory, cognitive development and protects the infant against infectious and chronic diseases. It also reduces of ovarian cancer and breast cancer in mothers.
Breast milk strengthens the bond between the mother and the child. Frequent skin to skin contact between mother and infant leads to better psychomotor, emotional and social development of the infant.
Breastfeeding is considered the 4th trimester in brain growth and development, there are specific proteins in breast milk that promote brain development. 

Breast milk is full of live ingredients, including white blood cells and beneficial bacteria as well as other bioactive compound such as antibodies, enzymes and hormones which all help fight infection, prevent disease and contribute to normal healthy development. Breast milk strengthens the immune system. During nursing, the mother passes antibodies to the child, which helps the child resist diseases and help improve the normal immune response to certain vaccines.
Breast feeding in infant nutrition is very essential for proper body growth and brain development.

Thanks for reading! 

References: https://motherchildnutrition.org/…/benefits-of-breastfeedin…
https://www.medela.com/…/mums-j…/breastfeeding-benefits-baby
https://www.who.int/…/top…/child/nutrition/breastfeeding/en/

Article By:
Iyiola Grace Omowumi
Food, Nutrients & Health