Even though the number of moms that begin breastfeeding their babies at birth increased, they end up stopping sooner that recommended by specialists.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is reminding mothers all over that breastfeeding within an hour of birth protects the baby from multiple risks including death.
When a mother has her baby close to her, she provides him all nutrients and antibodies needed, and the proximity to the mother is known to be the best protection from illness.
Besides the nutritional advantages, breastfeeding defends babies against respiratory diseases, stomach bugs, ear infections, and some allergies.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics babies who are breastfed are less likely to become obese teens and adults. However, this practice not only has enormous benefits for the children, but it also has tremendous health benefits for mothers.
Most women encounter hormonal changes during lactation that generate a delay in their menstrual cycle. According to Dr. Lakkampally, this can lead to lower estrogen production and reduce the risk of pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer among women.
Also, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, a woman sheds her breast tissue which further leads to the removal of the cells with potential DNA damage. By preventing ovulation, breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.
It can also decrease the risks of cardiovascular disease in mothers and delay the return of the menstrual period, which supports extending the time between pregnancies.
Moreover, the rates of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) are highly decreased in babies that are breastfed.
Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of CDC’s division of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity, believes that mothers must have permanent support from communities, clinicians, health care leaders, families and friend to achieve their breastfeeding goals.
According to the 2016 Breastfeeding Report Card from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, eight out of 10 newborns were breastfed, which reveals that most mothers have the intention to do so.
Although mothers start breastfeeding, only half of the infants are still breastfed at the age of 6 months and fewer that one-third (around 30.7 percent) are breastfed at 12 months of age.
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