Breastfeeding is indeed boon for a child

It's a shield against all that the baby has to strive for

Breastmilk is a superfood as it provides health in mind, body and spirit

“Breastmilk is Nature’s way of giving baby what it requires at the right time.”

Before birth, the baby grows in a sterile environment and at birth, the first gasp of air that the baby inhales, has a lot of pollutants which the baby has never had to tackle before. The baby’s defense against these germs, infections and other pollutants comes from the first milk colostrum which is dense with immunoglobulins and acts as a shield against all that the baby has to strive for.

Also Read: World breastfeeding week: Busting myths around the act and beauty

 The first milk is called colostrum which is thick and yellowish in colour which starts producing in  the mothers breast from the 16th week of pregnancy.  Some mothers panic when they see watery or translucent discharge from the breast, thinking it’s not going to satisfy the baby’s hunger needs. But the fact is the mother secretes milk according to the baby’s demand and requirement. In 4 to 5 days, the mother produces transitional milk, at this stage her breast becomes fuller and tighter producing milk just as per her baby’s growing demands. This transitional milk has a varied composition of foremilk and hindmilk.

While foremilk satisfies thirst, the hindmilk helps the baby gain weight and supply all the required nutrients for the ever-growing infant. Breastmilk is easily digested by the baby as it contains the right proportion of protein and fats suiting the age and maturity of the baby’s digestive system. It’s advised that the mother feeds her baby on demand and not withhold feeds, even when she is unwell. The antibodies present in the breastmilk helps the baby gain immunity against the infection. This is why every drop of breastmilk is considered precious and healthy anytime.

Breastmilk is a boon to every baby for its  availability at any time, anywhere in the right temperature for the baby on demand and reducing instances of frequent illness and infections. Breastfeeding Increases  bonding between the mother and child enabling an emotionally healthy child to the society.

This is why breastmilk is a superfood for not only satisfying hunger but also giving the baby good health in mind, body and soul.

(Dr Smitha Thomas is a Mother & Child Wellness Specialist and founder of Baby n Ma Wellness)