There’s no doubt breastfeeding is the most natural way to nourish your baby. Most mothers are physically able to breastfeed, but the decision on whether to breastfeed or bottlefeed is a very individual and personal choice. Breastmilk is the perfect milk for babies.
It contains everything a baby needs for the first six months of life, after which breastfeeding should be continued with other sources of nutrition. The first milk produced by the breasts is called colostrum. This thick, yellowish milk contains a high quantity of very important antibodies, which help protect a newborn baby from many diseases and infections
during the first few months of life.
Even if you don’t plan to breastfeed long term, it’s very important that your baby gets colostrum for the first days of life if possible. After a few days of feeding, colostrum is replaced by the whitish, thinner breastmilk.
Why breastfeed?
- Breastmilk is perfectly balanced. It changes according to your baby’s needs for each stage of growth and development.
- Breastmilk contains many unique components which help stimulate and develop your baby’s immature visual, gastrointestinal, immune, excretory and central nervous systems.
- Breastmilk provides your baby with specific nutrients which protect your baby against illness and disease, such as respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, juvenile diabetes and childhood obesity.