The mother’s milk is the healthiest food for a baby, as breastmilk is
not only nutritious but it also contains a variety of factors with medicinal
and therapeutic properties, which have essential roles in maintaining a child
growth, health, and intelligence.
Still, commercial companies are not giving up and still trying to
manufacture formula that is similar to breastmilk in its nutritional qualities.
Importance of breastmilk
- It is easy for digestion and does not cause constipation or diarrhea to the baby.
- It protects the baby from diseases, like cancer and diabetes.
- It provides the baby with nutritional minerals that are important for brain growth, especially in the first months of his life.
Benefits of Breastmilk
Breastmilk is an important source
of energy and nutrients for children especially, between the first and 24th
months of his life.
According to researches, it contains:
Carbohydrates:
Breastmilk contains a large amount of lactose that helps in absorption
of calcium from the milk, so the child's body can benefit from it.
Lactose has other benefits for the body, such as increasing the
absorption of phosphorous and magnesium.
Vitamins:
This depends on the mother’s diet or her intake of vitamins.
Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, are all essential
to the infant’s health, In addition to that Water-soluble vitamins are also important
for the baby’s health, such as vitamin C, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Pantothenic acid.
Protein:
Breastmilk contains two types of proteins:
60% of whey and 40%
of casein, a balance that helps in facilitating digestion.
Lactoferrin:
This protein prevents the growth of harmful bacteria found in the
digestive system.
Immunoglobulin:
Protect the infant from viruses and bacteria, which include antibodies:
IgG and IgM.
Fats:
Breastmilk contains essential fats that have a role in brain-growth and
in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (that are an essential source of
calories).
For the immune:
Mother's milk contains a high rate of antibodies such as: (IgA), which
helps the child to resist all types of infections viral and bacterial
especially colostrum milk (The first type of breast milk a mother produces just after
giving birth), which contains large amounts of the immune complexes.
For the baby’s Intelligence:
According to a study in "Lancet" magazine that is specialized
in health affairs, children that were breastfed have higher IQ levels than
those who relied on formula.
In addition to that, Dr. "Bernardo Lisa Horta" the one who led
this study from the Brazilian University of Pelotas confirmed that the effects of
breastfeeding on the growth of the brain and on children's intelligence is so
considerable, as breastfeeding can increase the intelligence of a person until
30 years old.
Moreover, the accumulated fat in the thighs and buttocks area is
important to form the baby’s brain, and cells in this region directly
contribute to the development of the baby's brain during the lactation period.
Breastfeeding problems
Many problems occur during breastfeeding
and they can affect the mother and the baby
Effect on the mother:
Nipple sensitivity: Because nipples are
more sensitive in the first time of breastfeeding.
Ulceration of the nipples: Because of a wounds
that occur.
Blockage of milk ducts: when there is a small
amount of milk congested, it leads to a blockage in the milk ducts, which must
be treated immediately so that the condition does not develop into breast
inflammation (Mastitis).
Mastitis: it often appears
after birth, and during the first months of breastfeeding, it can happen after
that as well, in this case, the mother is advised to continue breastfeeding to
relieve breast congestion.
Effects on the baby:
Drinking too much milk may cause some side effects, such as:
Constipation: This problem occurs among
children who drink more than 470-710 milliliters of milk per day.
Iron deficiency: The risk of anemia
due to iron deficiency increases among children who drink a lot of milk, as
milk does not contain iron, and when consuming milk in abundance, children
cannot eat other foods rich in iron.
Obesity: When the baby drinks
a large quantity of milk he may produce extra calories than what he really needs,
this can lead to obesity.