Health benefits for baby. Breast milk naturally contains all the nutrition your baby needs. Breast milk is easier to digest than formula. It is full of antibodies that help protect your baby from infections. In addition, studies suggest that breastfed children may have higher intelligence scores than those who are not breastfed.
Breast milk fed babies may be less likely to have:
- Ear, urinary or respiratory tract infections (such as colds)
- Skin problems
- Tooth decay and infections in the mouth
- Diarrhea, constipation and gas
- Intestinal diseases
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Childhood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Anemia (low blood iron)
- Heart attack and stroke in adulthood
Breastfeeding is perfect food for your baby. Although doctors and experts agree that breast milk is best, some mothers are not able to breastfeed, or choose not to. The decision is up to you. As a mom I know how much we want only the best for our little ones. World Health Organization recommends breast milk exclusively for the 1st 6 months, then up to and past 2 years with food also. Formula is just not a good enough substitute for breast milk. Formula fed babies are more prone to bacterial infections, respiratory illnesses and diarrhea; Whereas, according to UNICEF, breastfed babies have six times greater chance of surviving the first six months.
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