I'm a proud mom of breastfed babies. Happy mommy, providing a healthy milk to a 33 months old and 9 months old little boys. I would say that this kind of bonding moments between them are my most precious treasure in the world. The most wonderful gift from God, the 'liquid gold'.
Here's the 11 Interesting Facts about breastfeeding posted by Ask the Scientist - Health and Science Education
11 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is associated with numerous health benefits to both baby and mother. There is no question about that. Since it’s world breastfeeding week, we thought it would be fun to share some interesting facts about breastfeeding.
• After giving birth, the body gets the final signal to make milk. The breasts usually make more than one newborn can handle at first. Why? The body doesn’t know whether there is one, two, three, four, or more babies to feed. The milk supply then adjusts to meet the baby’s (or babies’) needs.
• Breast milk changes during a feeding session. When the baby first starts to nurse, the milk is a watery, bluish color. Toward the end of the feeding session, the milk gets thicker and fattier to provide the calories needed to grow healthy and strong. And milk changes its nutritional profile as the baby grows (milk made for a 3-month-old is different than for a 9-month-old).
• Breastfeeding exposes the baby to many different tastes. The baby gets a taste of whatever the mom eats, although not directly. Eating a healthy diet can make introducing solid foods easier when the baby is a few months old.
• Babies can see mother up close and personal. Babies are born with poor vision, and they can only see about eight to 15 inches away. That also happens to be the distance between mom and baby's face when breastfeeding. So, when baby and mom lock eyes, it’s a true bonding moment.
• The baby knows its mother’s smell. Newborns have a strong sense of smell and know the unique scent of mom’s breast milk. That is why babies turn their head to mom when they are hungry.
• The wealthier the country, the less likely mothers are to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is one of the few health recommendations in which poorer countries are closer to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines than rich countries.
• Breastfeeding allows faster recover from pregnancy and childbirth. The hormones released during breastfeeding help the uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size.
• Feeling drowsy? Lactating releases oxytocin, which causes a relaxing sensation. So, the tired feeling it’s not always just sleep deprivation.
• Most moms are right. The right breast makes more milk than the left in 75 percent of breastfeeding moms.
• What if all children were breastfed? Over 800,000 infant lives could be saved every year and 13 percent of all deaths in children under five could be prevented if all, or nearly all, infants were breastfed. (1)
• It’s exhausting. Producing breast milk burns up 25 percent of the body’s energy. In comparison, the brain uses only 20 percent.
It is important to acknowledge that some people can't breastfeed for medical, physical, or comfort reasons. But when possible, breastfeeding is one of the best things a mom can do for the health and well-being of herself and her growing child.
1. The Lancet
Breastfeeding: Achieving the New Normal
Volume 387, No. 10017, pg 404, 30 January 2016
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