Breastmilk- The first vaccine for the newborn. It contains an adequate amount of certain proteins lactalbumin and lactoprotein, fat, sugar lactose, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, and IgA antibodies, which help in boosting up the immunity of the body. That's why breastmilk is the first vaccine for the newborn.
Therefore, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1st to 7th August to encourage breastfeeding and improve babies' health worldwide.
It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration Signed in 1990 by government policymakers WHO, UNICEF, and other organizations to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is the best way to provide infants with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding starting within one hour after birth until a baby is 6 months old. Nutritious complementary foods should then be added while continuing to breastfeed for up to 2 years or beyond.
As we all know, while giving birth to a child, a mother suffers from pain equal to pain caused due to the breaking of 320 bones. So, it's obvious that she has no energy left to sit and breastfeed. so, we should motivate her to breastfeed for the better health of her child because we all know 'Health is Wealth.'
This dense yellow-colored milk called 'Liquid gold' or 'Colostrum' is safe and beneficial. It contains proteins lactalbumin, lactoprotein and casein, fats, sugar lactose, calcium, vitamin 'A' & 'C,' IgA antibodies and provides passive immunity to the newborn infant.
Secretion of prolactin and oxytocin depends on suckling stimuli produced by the nursing infant on the nipples of the breasts. Lactation is controlled by the demand for milk. Fortunately, the baby also has a deficient capacity of about 5-7 ml on their first feed.
From the third day milk starts becoming whiter and thinner and also the amount of milk increases. This milk is of two types- Foremilk and Hind milk. Foremilk has a low amount of fat, while Hind milk has a high amount of milk comparatively. As the body grows, its appetite increases; hence it requires more milk. So, a mother should take care of her breastfeeding since her pregnancy time and take diets rich in vitamins, iron, calcium, etc.
Breastfeeding is mutually beneficial as it not only benefits the infant but the mother.
Benefits to infant:-
- Colostrum prevents the child from diseases of the throat, lungs, and intestine.
- It also improves digestion and prevents constipation.
- It boosts up the immunity of the baby as it has WBCs. That's why it is said 'Liquid Gold.'
- It satisfies the baby and helps in having a healthy and sound sleep.
- The baby stays happy and healthy.
Benefits to mother:-
- It increases the affection between the mother and the child.
- It loses the weight the mother gained during pregnancy.
- There is a low chance of breast and ovarian cancer.
- As long as the mother breastfeeds her child fully, chances of conception are almost nil. It is called 'Lactation Amenorrhea.' It is a natural way of preventing conception.
- Due to pregnancy the size of uterus gets enlarged thus by breastfeeding it gains its normal size which reduces bleeding during menstruation.
One precaution that should be taken while breastfeeding is that if the mother is undergoing any cancer treatment or suffering from TB, HIV positive, or the medical complications that arose during delivery, she should not breastfeed the infant.
For such infants, nowadays, milk bank has been set up in many hospitals. This milk is neither heated nor boiled, but yes, they are fringed, and after bringing at normal temperature, they are needed for infants.
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