Attachment Parenting

Breastfeeding for Health

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By: Brian Cook

Breastfeeding is one of the most essential components of attachment parenting and there is enough scientific proof to suggest that failure to breastfeed a newborn child can cause long term medical problems for both the mother and the child. In addition to containing vital nutrients for the newborn, breastfeeding actually improves a child’s immune system and provides protection against some of common ailments like gastrointestinal problems and susceptibility to problems like diarrhea. Breastfeeding not only benefits the new born child, but it also helps the nursing mother. There is scientific evidence to prove that women that breastfeed tend to lose weight that they put on during pregnancy much faster than non breastfeeding mothers.

There are also psychological advantages of breastfeeding in addition to all of the health benefits. Psychologists agree that breastfeeding is a vital way for both the parent and the infant to bond with each other which is why breastfeeding is of the most important aspects of attachment parenting. Independent studies have suggested that there is a direct correlation between the IQ of a child and if he was breastfed or not; almost all studies carried out have suggested that breastfed babies have higher IQs compared to babies who have not been breastfed.

Breastfeeding helps prevent allergies
Multiple studies have been carried out that suggest, that babies who are breastfed past six months of age, have a lower probability of developing respiratory allergies, and this protection lasts into adolescence. The fact that these studies have been carried out independently and have made similar conclusions, is certain proof that breastfed babies do stand a better chance of not developing allergies. In fact even in families with a past history of allergies, breastfed babies have shown to have better resistance than babies that are fed supplements and cow’s milk. There is no clear mechanism that shows how this allergy protection works, but it is believed that mother’s milk passes on essential immuno-proteins from her blood stream, hence passively immunizing the baby against allergies she has encountered.

Breastfeeding protects against common ailments
Studies from all over the world have concluded that breastfed infants are less susceptible to frequent infant problems like ear infections, respiratory problems and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea. In fact breastfed children who do fall ill, suffer milder effects of the illness. In fact infants that are exclusively breastfed (only fed mother’s milk) have the lowest chance of suffering ailments that afflict infants. As a matter of fact most medical councils around the world, recommend exclusive breastfeeding of infants during the first 6 months.

In addition to common ailments, studies have also found a direct relationship between breastfeeding, diabetes and leukemia. Breastfed children are far less likely to get diabetes and leukemia, the chances of survival of infants is much higher if they are breastfed, as newer studies have also suggested that the incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is much lower in breastfed babies. All in all there is sufficient data and evidence to suggest that breastfed children are by far healthier and more likely to lead healthier lives in the future if they are exclusively breastfed for a minimum of six months.

Other advantages of breastfeeding
As mentioned earlier, breastfed babies are healthier, so parents can save thousands of dollars in medical bills that they might have incurred if the baby was not breastfed. In addition, studies have shown that parents can also save up to $1000 in baby milk products and supplements by exclusively breastfeeding. There is also a high probability that a mother will not be susceptible to ovarian and breast cancer if she has breastfed her child, in fact this is sited as one of the major reasons why women in lesser developing countries, have lower incidence of both ovarian and breast cancer, as they prefer breastfeeding their children. Scientists believe that breast milk is naturally equipped to aid a baby’s immune system, as it is the only way of exchange of immunity between mother and child after birth.

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

Brian Cook is the author of this article on attachment parenting. Find more information about attachment parenting here.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/stenbough/1300790250/

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