Breastfeeding is known to be the ideal method of ensuring a child’s good health and growth. However, the choice of whether to breastfeed or not is extremely personal. Breast milk is a gold standard nutrition an infant can receive. The health benefits of breastfeeding are endless for both the infant and mother. Doctors, scientists and researchers all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months as breast milk has unique properties tailored to the needs of the growing child.
According to WHO, only 37.7% of mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months in Pakistan. The low rates of breastfeeding lead to several major problems in infants such as higher medical costs, early deaths, lower IQ and issues in physical growth. Optimal nutrition for children under the age of two is essential as it lowers morbidity, and mortality and fosters better development overall.
Early initiation of breastfeeding
Newborns should be fed breast milk within the first hour of birth as it prevents the child from acquiring infections and reduces the risks of newborn mortality.
Exclusive breastfeeding
Exclusive breastfeeding means giving the infant only breast milk and no other liquids (including water) or solids as it has numerous health benefits for both the mother and child.
Introducing complementary foods
Breast milk is packed with nutrients and energy tailored to child’s need for at least 6 months; however, a baby’s nutritional requirements begin to exceed from that point onwards. Therefore, experts recommend introducing safe and healthy complementary foods that can add to the child’s development.
Benefits of Breastfeeding:
- Breast-fed infants have lower risks of asthma, acute ear infections, type 1 diabetes, obesity and gastrointestinal infections.
- Breastfed children tend to have higher IQs and perform better.
- Breastfeeding not only reduces health costs but also reduces the chances of infant mortality.
- Breastfeeding can save mothers from hypertension, type 2 diabetes, ovarian and breast cancer.
Acknowledging and understanding these numerous benefits, RMI strongly endorses breastfeeding mothers and recommends families, healthcare systems, and employers to take steps for making breastfeeding a mother’s first choice.
