Breastfeeding is important for you and your baby. Your breast milk protects your baby against lots of illnesses and conditions. It’s designed to meet your baby’s every need.
Why breastfeeding is good for your baby
Your breast milk contains essential enzymes, hormones and antibodies. These are vital for your baby’s normal growth, development and good health.
Breast milk is tailored for your baby and their stage of development. It changes as your baby grows to meet their needs and protects them from illness.
When you come into contact with a virus or bacteria, your body will make antibodies to protect itself. These antibodies are passed into your breast milk so your baby is protected too.
Breast milk is good because it:
- helps to protect your baby from illnesses such as chest, ear and tummy infections
- reduces your baby’s risk of constipation or an upset tummy
- reduces the risk of obesity for your baby when they are older
- can help lower your baby’s risk of food allergies
Obesity prevention
Breastfeeding has an important influence on reducing and preventing obesity.
This is because:
- breast milk contains hormones that programs your baby’s regulation of food intake
- breastfed babies control the amount of milk they consume and finish feeding when they’re satisfied – this helps them to control appetite from a very early stage
- both amniotic fluid and breast milk can introduce tiny amounts of flavour – this can influence taste preferences and food choices after weaning onto solids
Breastfeeding is a good start in setting up appetite controls in the baby. But many other factors such as lifestyle and nutrition influence your baby as they grow up too.