Breast-feeding is the natural best foundation for infant’s health and nutrition in any setting. Under normal condition mother secrete 450 to 600 ml milk daily with 1.2 percent protein. The energy value of human milk is 70 kcal per 100 ml. Breast milk contain all the nutrients that a baby needs always exactly in right amount such as lactose, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. The presence of anti-infective factors in the breast milk protects the baby from infection.
It implies the feeding of breast milk is enough for the baby up to six (6) months of life and no other food is necessary during this time.
Importance/ Advantages of breast feeding
A. Of infant
1. Breast milk is safe, clean, hygienic, cheap and available to the infant at correct temperature.
2. It fully meet the nutritional requirements of the infant in the first few months of life ( 6 months).
3. It requires no preparation and available in its sterile form at correct temperature.
4. It contains antimicrobial factors such as macrophages, lymphocytes, secretary IGA, anti streptococcal factor, lysozyme and lactoferrin which provide considerable protection not only against diarrheal diseases but also respiratory diseases in the first months of life.
5. It is easily digested and utilized by the normal and premature baby.
6. Sucking is good for the baby- it helps in the development of jaw and teeth.
7. It prevents neonatal hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia.
8. It prevents malnutrition and reduces infant mortality rate.
9. It protects the baby from tendency to obesity.
10. Taurine, is a special substance of breast milk helps in the formation of brain tissue of the infant.
11. In breast feed infant allergic disorder are less common.
A. Of mother
1. It has a psychological effect on the mother- promotes bonding the mother and infant.
2. Breast feeding prevents carcinoma of breast and ovary.
3. It prevents ovulation and thus act as a contraceptive method.
4. Breast feeding helps to keep mother body in good configurations reduces body fat excess of which was deposited during pregnancy.
5. It helps parents to space their children by prolonging the period of infertility.
6. It helps in the evolution of the genital organs.
7. Decreases the mother workload for preparing artificial food.
A. Of family and society
1. Save money.
2. Promote family planning.
3. Decrease need for hospitalization.
4. Contributes to child survival.
