The benefits of breastfeeding (for World Breastfeeding Week)

Every year, in the first week of August, the World Breastfeeding Support Week. Its goal is to raise awareness among parents of babies and expectant parents about the benefits and advantages of breastfeeding and why it is so important to support breastfeeding women.

Breastfeeding - is a natural process that is a continuation of gestation and childbirth. It is important not only for the physical development of the baby, but also for the emotional bond with the mother. Mother's milk is not just food. It is a unique formula that cannot be replicated and provides a healthy start in life.

Why breastfeeding - best for the baby?

• Unique composition.

Mother's milk contains everything a baby needs: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, enzymes, and immune cells. It adapts to the baby's needs at every stage of development.

• Strong immunity.

Colostrum is the first milk after childbirth and is extremely rich in antibodies. It forms the baby's defence against infections, reduces the risk of allergies, intestinal disorders, otitis media, bronchial asthma and even tooth decay.

• 24/7 availability

Breast milk is a sterile product with an optimal temperature and consistency. You can feed your baby at any time without boiling bottles or preparing formula.

• Intimacy and care.

During feeding, the baby hears his mother's heart and feels her warmth - it calms him down, helps him sleep better, and promotes emotional stability.

According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, breastfed children grow up to be healthier, more intellectually developed and sociable.

The benefits of breastfeeding for mothers.

• Natural health support.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of postpartum bleeding, breast and ovarian cancer, type II diabetes, and postpartum depression.

• Establishing lactation.

Early breastfeeding (within the first 30 minutes after birth) helps to initiate and establish lactation. Breast milk is produced according to the baby's needs - the more often you feed, the more milk you produce.

Why do you need to support breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding support is important because it helps to establish a close emotional bond, which is important for the psychological development of the child. Breastfeeding is a time when you can share hugs, tenderness and love with your baby.

Ensuring a favourable environment for breastfeeding is an important initiative that aims to create a positive environment for women who choose this way of feeding their children. This approach takes into account the individual needs of each mother and creates conditions for comfortable and safe breastfeeding.

To learn more about the basic principles of breastfeeding, you can watch a video course from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in cooperation with the NGO "Milk Rivers of Ukraine" at the link https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/breastfeeding-course.

Remember that breastfeeding is the best food for your baby!

https://moz.gov.ua/uk/grudne-vigodovuvannja-zruchnist-i-zdorovja-dlja-materi-ta-ditini;

https://phc.org.ua/news/vsesvitniy-tizhden-pidtrimki-grudnogo-vigodovuvannya-perevagi-goduvannya-gruddyu-u-faktakh-i;

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding;

https://gfmg.ua/grudne-vigodovuvannja/

V. Podavalenko, a municipal hygiene specialist at the All-Ukrainian Scientific and Research Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology