It’s World Breastfeeding Week and this year’s theme is

This of course touches on the first meal that babies have – breastmilk.

Thanks to its nutritional value, breastmilk provides numerous benefits for a baby.

It also provides numerous benefits for the mother.

Read some of the benefits below.

For the baby

1.Nutrition for the baby

As mentioned before, breastmilk is very nutritional for the baby.

It contains all the necessary nutrients that a baby would need, aside from Vitamin D, for the first six months before weaning starts.

2.Increases your baby’s IQ

Studies have suggested that breastfed babies have higher IQs as compared to those that were fed formula. This is apparently attributed to the physical intimacy, touch and eye contact associated with breastfeeding.

3.Antibodies

Breastmilk is pumped with antibodies that help the baby’s body fight off viruses and bacteria.

The very first milk that babies get which is the colostrum contains antibodies such as immunoglobulin which protects the baby from getting sick by creating a protective layer in the baby’s nose, throat and digestive tract.

For the mother

4.Reduces the risk of getting diabetes

Breastfeeding can reduce a mother’s chance of getting diabetes. This is according to a study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine that found that protective effects through hormones are released after breastfeeding which act in the pancreas, thus controlling blood insulin and sugar levels.

5.Lowers depression in mothers

Mothers that breastfeed have increased amounts of oxytocin which reportedly encourages caregiving, relaxation and bonding between a mother and child.

This in turn decreases the risks of mothers develop post-partum depression.

6.Breastfeeding helps to contract the uterus

The increased levels of oxytocin cause the uterus to contract. This reduces blood loss after delivery and the uterus returns to its normal size.

7.Breastfeeding helps in weight loss

Between 3-6 months after giving birth, breastfeeding mothers have shown to lose more weight than those that don’t breastfeed at all.

8.Saves on money

Formula isn’t cheap.

Source: Healthline