Benefits Of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is one way of providing the infant with ideal food require for healthy growth and development of the body. Evidence shows that exclusive feeding of the infant for the first 6 month is the optimal way for keeping the body of infant growing healthy. After six month the mother should continue breastfeeding, but with addition of complementary food. Breast milk contains all nutrients and energy required by the body and in enough amounts to promote growth. Breastfeeding a baby exclusively for the first 6 months of life, and then continues breastfeeding in addition to appropriate solid foods until 12 months and beyond, has health benefits for both the mother and child. First, health benefits for the mother, it helps the mother to lose weight. It is important for the uterus to return to its normal size. Also, it reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. Moreover, it reduces the risk of osteoporosis. In addition, it is important for the mother with gestational diabetes to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Second the benefits for the babies, it decreases the risk of multiple diseases like, asthma, diabetes, allergies, obesity and some childhood cancer. Also breastfeeding is important in building strong relation between the mother and her baby. Breast milk is easily digested. It has ingredient which is important for building baby's immune system. Breast milk promotes healthy growth and development of the body. Babies with breastfeeding are less likely to get diarrhea and constipation. Breast milk has the suitable temperature.

Unfortunately, statistics in Oman shows that prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months of age is decline to 9% in 2012.This is related to many reasons. Actually, before the bottl...

... middle of paper ...

...of counseling to mother during her visit to the hospital. Also, community has its role in supporting breastfeeding by providing health education, activities and community supporting group. In Oman health organization and community are working hard to encourage breastfeeding. As we can see by making health education programs on breastfeeding, organizing activities, counseling for mothers

Finally, in my opinion, all of these reasons is not persuade to deprive the baby from his chance of breastfeed expect the health status of the mother. Actually, breastfeeding is decision that mother make and if the mother concerning about her baby health she will breastfeed them exclusively for the first month of life. Also, breastfeeding mother should be encouraged by her family by providing healthy diet for mother and suitable environment to allow her to breastfeed the baby.