Breast feeding is one of the most essential parts of motherhood, there is enough scientific proof to suggest that not breast feeding a new born child can cause medical problems for both the mother and the child, apart from containing vital nutrients for the new born, breast feeding actually improves a child's immune system, and provides protection against some of common ailments like gastrointestinal problems, and susceptibility to problems like diarrhoea. Breast feeding not only benefits the new born child, but it also helps the nursing mother. There is scientific evidence to prove that women that breastfeed tend to loose weight that they put on during pregnancy much faster.



Apart from the medical advantages that breast feeding has for both the mother and infant, there are also known psychological advantages of breastfeeding, psychologists agree that breastfeeding is an important way for both the parent and the infant to bond with each other, in fact one of the most important aspects of natural parenting is breastfeeding. Independent studies have suggested that there is a direct correlation between the IQ of a child and if he was breastfed or not; almost all studies carried out have suggested that breastfed babies have higher IQ when compared to babies who have not been breastfed.

Breastfeeding improves the resistance of the infant against allergies

Multiple studies have been carried out that suggest, that babies that are breastfed past six months after birth, have lower probability of developing respiratory allergies, and this protection lasts into adolescence. The fact that these studies have been carried out independently and have made similar conclusions, is certain proof that breastfed babies do stand a better chance of not developing allergies. In fact even in families with a past history of allergies, breastfed babies have shown to have better resistance than babies that are fed supplements and cow's milk. There is no clear mechanism that shows how this allergy protection works, but it is believed that mother's milk passes on essential immuno-proteins from her blood stream, hence passively immunising the baby against allergies she has encountered.

Breastfeeding protects against common ailments

Studies from all over the world have deduced, that breastfed infants, are less susceptible to frequent infant problems like ear infections, respiratory problems and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhoea. In fact breastfed children who do fall ill, suffer milder effects of the illness. In fact infants that are exclusively breastfed (only fed mother's milk) have the lowest chance of suffering ailments that afflict infants. As a matter of fact most medical councils the world over recommend exclusive breastfeeding of infants during the first 6 months after birth.

In addition to common ailments, studies have also found a direct relationship between diabetes, and leukaemia. Breastfed children are far less likely to get diabetes and leukaemia, the chances of survival of infants is much higher if they are breastfed, as newer studies have also suggested that the incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is much lower in breastfed babies. All in all there is sufficient data and evidence to suggest that breastfed children are by far healthier and more likely to lead healthier lives in the future if they are breastfed at least during the first six months of their lives.

Advantage of breastfeeding for the nursing mother

Psychologically mothers develop a closer bond with their babies, during nursing and both the mother and the child form a much stronger bond as the nursing continues. In addition production of milk in the female body causes more calories to be consumed than normal, so nursing mother's find it much simpler to loose weight when they are nursing, as even without additional exercise and diet control, the body burns up calories. Women who breastfeed their children are less likely to succumb to post-partum stress. Recent studies have also shown that women who breastfeed their children are also less likely to develop osteoporosis at older age. Biologically too a lactating mother is less likely to get pregnant, and hence breastfeeding for more than 6 months automatically helps in spacing between children.