8 Amazing Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding for Babies

Kapanlagi.com - Breast milk is one of the important intake for babies from the beginning of their birth. It is not only a daily intake, but breast milk is also important in supporting the growth of the baby. That's why there are many benefits of breastfeeding if we do it exclusively.

Even many researchers suggest that mothers should give their children breast milk for at least 12 months or until the child is two years old. It is not only beneficial for babies in the early stages of their birth, but the benefits of breastfeeding can be felt until the child grows up. That's why breast milk is very important to be given by the baby.

Even breast milk contains antibodies that can protect the child from various diseases, and to fight viruses and bacteria when they are in the world. So it's not surprising that it is very important to give breast milk to children as their intake.

And what are the benefits of breast milk for body health? Reported from various sources, let's check it out KLovers.

1. Making Children Smarter

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

The first benefit of breastfeeding is that it can make children smarter. Some studies suggest that there may be differences in brain development between babies who are breastfed and those who are fed formula. These differences may be due to physical intimacy, touch, and eye contact associated with breastfeeding.

In fact, another study found that babies who receive the benefits of breastfeeding have higher intelligence scores. Breastfeeding has even been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies.

2. Stronger Immune System

The next benefit of breastfeeding is that it can provide nutrition for a stronger immune system. The immune system is very important for humans, especially for newborn babies. Their bodies are still very vulnerable, so they need nutrition to strengthen their immune system.

Breast milk is rich in antibodies that help babies fight viruses and bacteria. This nutrition is particularly true for colostrum, the first phase of breast milk. As a result, babies are at a lower risk of diseases such as diarrhea, asthma, allergies, ear infections, respiratory infections, constipation, sudden infant death syndrome, and meningitis.

In addition, babies who are breastfed also have a lower risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. So it's not a bad idea to provide children with breast milk for 12 months or even 2 years.

3. Building Strong Bones

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

It turns out that breastfeeding can also make your baby's bones stronger, KLovers. In fact, the content in breast milk is even more powerful compared to other nutrients in providing nutrition to strengthen the baby's bones.

In a study, it was revealed that babies who were given milk for three months or more had stronger neck and spine bones compared to those who were breastfed for less than three months or not at all. Therefore, it is very important for mothers to provide breast milk for the first 3 months without interruption.

4. Reducing the Risk of Cancer

Not only beneficial for babies, it turns out that breastfeeding also has a significant impact on the health of mothers, KLovers. Although this has not been fully proven, according to several studies, the longer a mother breastfeeds, the more protected she is from breast and ovarian cancer.

This is because breastfeeding stimulates breast cells to produce breast milk regularly, reducing the likelihood of cell performance deviation. In addition, breastfeeding mothers also have lower estrogen hormone levels due to a decrease in menstrual frequency. Estrogen is one of the triggers for cancer, so breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast and uterine cancer for breastfeeding mothers.

5. Improving Cognitive Development

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

It turns out that the benefits of breastfeeding for children include improving cognitive development in children. In a study that stated that exclusive breastfeeding can improve infant cognitive development. However, this is related to several factors related to breastfeeding.

Cognitive development refers to a child's ability to understand something. One of the psychologists, Jean Piaget, proposed a theory about the stages of human cognitive development. According to Piaget, children have different ways of thinking than adults.

Therefore, improving cognitive development is important. That's why providing exclusive breastfeeding for infants, at least for 6 months, is a key point in cognitive development.

6. Meeting Nutritional Needs

It is not unfamiliar that breast milk (ASI) is one of the necessities for babies, even becoming one of the important nutrients. There are many nutrients contained in breast milk, so it is not surprising that breast milk is one of the important things in meeting nutritional needs.

Because breast milk fulfills all the energy and nutritional needs required by the little one during the early stages of life. Especially, until the age of six months. Therefore, babies actually do not need to be given formula milk, drinks, or additional food before reaching the age of six months. Because breast milk alone is enough to meet nutritional needs every day.

7. As Natural Family Planning

Illustration (credit: Freepik)

Another benefit of exclusive breastfeeding is that it can serve as natural family planning. Yup! This is because ovulation can be inhibited when the mother provides exclusive breastfeeding to the baby. In the medical world, this method is called lactational amenorrhea method. The important thing to understand in order to get the benefits is that you are advised to be ready to breastfeed whenever the baby needs it.

In addition, to minimize the chance of pregnancy, mothers are also advised to use safe contraceptive methods while breastfeeding. And of course, this should be consulted with a doctor, KLovers, to avoid mistakes in choosing a safe contraceptive method.

8. Preventing Allergies

And the last benefit of exclusive breastfeeding is that it can prevent allergies in children. WHO and all medical professional associations have issued guidelines to provide exclusive breastfeeding for six months. This is to avoid infants from the risk of allergies and gastroenteritis, as well as making them healthier due to fewer infection risks.

Several studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding for 4 to 6 months is associated with a lower incidence of allergic diseases. Even a study conducted in Australia on 2187 children over 6 years concluded that the risk of asthma decreased in infants who received exclusive breastfeeding.

Furthermore, other research shows the presence of antibodies to cow's milk protein in infants with acute diarrhea. Therefore, breastfeeding is not only good for providing nutrition to children but also for preventing allergies in infants.

Those are the 8 benefits of exclusive breastfeeding that are good for the body, not only for the child's body but also for the mother's body. And of course, breastfeeding is one of the best nutrients for children that you must provide exclusively.

(kpl/dhm)