Breastfeeding

Infants have been breastfed since the beginning of humanity. Only in the 20th century have reasonable alternatives to breastfeeding become available.

However, human milk is the best food for babies. It contains the right amount of nutrients, in the right proportions, for the growing baby - lactoferrin provides optimal absorption of iron and protects the gut from harmful bacteria; lipases assist in digestion of fats; and special growth factors and hormones contribute to optimal growth and development. Mother's own milk changes during a feeding from thirst quenching to hunger satisfying, and comes in a variety of flavours as mother's diet varies. Its composition changes as the baby grows to meet baby's changing nutritional needs.

While most people are aware that human milk provides excellent nutrition, many people are unaware of the other benefits for babies and mums:

• Human milk is baby's first immunization. It provides antibodies, which protect baby from many common respiratory and intestinal diseases, and also contains living immune cells.
• Babies from families with a tendency to allergic diseases particularly benefit from breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding, especially if it continues for at least six months, provides protection against allergies, asthma, and eczema.
• Breastfed infants grow faster initially, then slow down as they approach their first birthday (this represents normal growth). People artificially fed as infants go on to have a higher risk of obesity as adults.
• More and more research is showing that breastfeeding leads to optimal brain development.
• Breastfeeding is good for premature infants. Premature breast milk contains different amounts of some nutrients than term breast milk, more suited to the needs of premature babies.
• The act of breastfeeding is beneficial too as it contributes to optimal oral development meaning less risk of malocclusion.
• Bottle-fed babies have a higher risk of baby bottle tooth decay.
• Close skin-to-skin contact with mother provides optimal nurturing and an almost automatic close emotional attachment.
• It is a joyful and relaxing experience.