Breastmilk better known as liquid gold by many; such a wonderful gift that God gave women to nourish their babies' immune system and health in general. Imagine nursing your baby as your bond with them such a satisfying feeling, right?
Exclusive breastfeeding is feeding your infant with breast milk without giving any liquids including water for the first six months of life according to the WHO.
WHO and UNICEF encourage to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life.
The topic exclusive breastfeeding is quite wide but today I am going to delve into the nutritional content of breast milk and the benefits of breastfeeding both to the mother and her infant.
Nutritional content of breastmilk
1.Fore milk: Foremilk contains 80%of water which is enough to quench your infant's thirst. The milk is water like.
POV: It is still a bone of contention to some mothers who strongly feel that a baby should be given water as it means no harm. A piece of advice to such mothers; the only food that your baby's tender digestive system can adhere well to in those six months is breastmilk.
2.Hind milk: Hind milk is a thick, yellow and creamy milk. It is also know as colostrum. This milk contains nutrients such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals which nourishes the infant's health.
Now that we have a glimpse of what exclusive breastfeeding is and the nutritional content of breastmilk let's quickly look at the benefits of breastfeeding both to the mother and the baby.
Benefits of breastfeeding to the baby.
1. Breastmilk contains antibodies such as lactobacillus bifida which protect the baby against infections.
2. Breastmilk is clean and right temperatures at all times therefore it is a hardoff for it to cause infections.
3. It bonds the child to his/her mother which helps in psychological and social development.
4. It is convenient as the baby feeds on demand.
5. Breastmilk babies are less likely to be overweight and obese as the mother knows the cue the baby sends when full.
6. Suckling during breastfeeding favors the baby's normal tooth and jaw alignment.
Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the mother.
1. Breastfeeding saves the mother money.
- It is cheaper than buying breastmilk substitutes.
2. It is safe and easy to feed the child.
3. Breastfeeding mothers experience lactational amenorrhea.
- Lactational amenorrhea simply means you are unable to get pregnant during that period of breastfeeding.
- Lactational amenorrhea only applies well to the mothers who exclusively breastfeed their babies. The moment you start feeding your baby with foods other than breastmilk, chances are that you will easily get pregnant during that period of breastfeeding.
- When you exclusively breastfeed your baby every four hours during the day and six hours at night and feed your baby only breastmilk your body naturally stops ovulating. We all know you cannot get pregnant if you are not ovulating.
Please! Don't come throwing stones at me that I said breastfeeding is the most effective birth control method😂. This is only effective in the 6 months duration of breastfeeding. Look for a better birth control method that suits your health well.
4. Breastfeeding immediately after delivery encourages contraction of the uterus thus it prevents excessive bleeding.
5. Breastfeeding mothers are able to return to their pre-pregnancy weight easily as they burn 500-600 kcals in a day.
- Please note that as much as breastfeeding helps in weight loss it is not a weight loss miracle. You have to incorporate healthy habits that will help you achieve this. Healthy habits such as eating the proper portions of meals and physical exercise.
NB:
There's nothing like eating for two😂. It will only amount to total frustration when you're trying to lose weight. Just make sure to eat the right food which is wholesome and in the required portions.
Adequate hydration helps in milk production. Carry a bottle of water everywhere you go.
Lastly;
Not exclusively breastfeeding your baby does not make you less of a mother. It could be because of medications and other reasons best known to the mother.
All mothers are superheros and you are one in your own unique way💛.
With Love,
Sally Luyali .
Breastmilk better known as liquid gold by many; such a wonderful gift that God gave women to nourish their babies' immune system and health in general. Imagine nursing your baby as your bond with them such a satisfying feeling, right?
Exclusive breastfeeding is feeding your infant with breast milk without giving any liquids including water for the first six months of life according to the WHO.
WHO and UNICEF encourage to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life.
The topic exclusive breastfeeding is quite wide but today I am going to delve into the nutritional content of breast milk and the benefits of breastfeeding both to the mother and her infant.
Nutritional content of breastmilk
1.Fore milk: Foremilk contains 80%of water which is enough to quench your infant's thirst. The milk is water like.
POV: It is still a bone of contention to some mothers who strongly feel that a baby should be given water as it means no harm. A piece of advice to such mothers; the only food that your baby's tender digestive system can adhere well to in those six months is breastmilk.
2.Hind milk: Hind milk is a thick, yellow and creamy milk. It is also know as colostrum. This milk contains nutrients such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals which nourishes the infant's health.
Now that we have a glimpse of what exclusive breastfeeding is and the nutritional content of breastmilk let's quickly look at the benefits of breastfeeding both to the mother and the baby.
Benefits of breastfeeding to the baby.
1. Breastmilk contains antibodies such as lactobacillus bifida which protect the baby against infections.
2. Breastmilk is clean and right temperatures at all times therefore it is a hardoff for it to cause infections.
3. It bonds the child to his/her mother which helps in psychological and social development.
4. It is convenient as the baby feeds on demand.
5. Breastmilk babies are less likely to be overweight and obese as the mother knows the cue the baby sends when full.
6. Suckling during breastfeeding favors the baby's normal tooth and jaw alignment.
Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the mother.
1. Breastfeeding saves the mother money.
- It is cheaper than buying breastmilk substitutes.
2. It is safe and easy to feed the child.
3. Breastfeeding mothers experience lactational amenorrhea.
- Lactational amenorrhea simply means you are unable to get pregnant during that period of breastfeeding.
- Lactational amenorrhea only applies well to the mothers who exclusively breastfeed their babies. The moment you start feeding your baby with foods other than breastmilk, chances are that you will easily get pregnant during that period of breastfeeding.
- When you exclusively breastfeed your baby every four hours during the day and six hours at night and feed your baby only breastmilk your body naturally stops ovulating. We all know you cannot get pregnant if you are not ovulating.
Please! Don't come throwing stones at me that I said breastfeeding is the most effective birth control method😂. This is only effective in the 6 months duration of breastfeeding. Look for a better birth control method that suits your health well.
4. Breastfeeding immediately after delivery encourages contraction of the uterus thus it prevents excessive bleeding.
5. Breastfeeding mothers are able to return to their pre-pregnancy weight easily as they burn 500-600 kcals in a day.
- Please note that as much as breastfeeding helps in weight loss it is not a weight loss miracle. You have to incorporate healthy habits that will help you achieve this. Healthy habits such as eating the proper portions of meals and physical exercise.
NB:
There's nothing like eating for two😂. It will only amount to total frustration when you're trying to lose weight. Just make sure to eat the right food which is wholesome and in the required portions.
Adequate hydration helps in milk production. Carry a bottle of water everywhere you go.
Lastly;
Not exclusively breastfeeding your baby does not make you less of a mother. It could be because of medications and other reasons best known to the mother.
All mothers are superheros and you are one in your own unique way💛.
With Love,
Sally Luyali .
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