Rosalee Brown - DIETITIAN'S DESK
Breastfeeding carries unmatched benefits to the infant, mother, family and country.
Benefits to the baby
Breast milk is specifically designed for human babies with the right balance of nutrients. For example, the amount of protein in cow's milk is twice as much as that in human milk and the ratio of casein to whey is different in human milk when compared to cow's milk with whey protein having the greater percentage. The advantage of this is smaller fat globules and easier digestion.
The calcium content and other nutrients in human milk are appropriate to the human infant. This species-specific food ensures complete nutrition for growth and development and should be given exclusively for the first six months of life and as supplementary nutrition up to two years.
Breast milk is not just nutrition but protection for the infant. It is 80 per cent microphage which are cells that kill bacteria, virus and fungi. Breast milk protects the infant from gastrointestinal diseases, some types of ear infections and even asthma. Studies also show that breastfeeding can reduce the incidence of intestinal disorders such as Crohn's and irritable bowel diseases.
Mothers also develop antibodies to diseases and can pass on this protection to their infants. Breastfeeding reduces the incidence of obesity, type one diabetes and many other diseases.
Benefits to the mother
The benefits of breastfeeding to mothers are numerous:
It reduces haemorrhaging in the mother, increases contraction of the uterus to pre-pregnancy size and depletes stored body fat to support lactation.
It saves time for feed preparation, saves money and gives peace of mind that the infant is getting optimum care.
It lowers the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.
Fewer sick days for babies means less time away from work and less stress for the mother and family.
Less money will be spent on corrective dental procedures.
Benefits to the community
Breastfeeding has large benefits to the environment since not much raw material is necessary for its production and packaging.
There is less waste to clog the environment.
Scarce foreign exchange is saved as supplemental formula will only be needed for medically indicated cases.
One big advantage to the country is that food security for this age group can be ensured. This is especially crucial in view of the decline in the economic situation globally.
Breastfeeding is affordable to the family as all that is necessary is that food and support be provided to the mother. It is a safe and suitable food in times of emergencies when food is not available and there is a lack of electricity and running water compromising hygiene.
Support for mothers to achieve the gold standard of breastfeeding should be done through early education; increasing awareness through health education in schools and providing a safe and conducive environment for expressing breast milk.
Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: ourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
