Importance of Breast feeding!

Importance of Breast feeding!

Breastfeeding gives babies the best start for a healthy life as it provides all the food and drinks that a baby needs for the first six months of life. Breastmilk contains important components to nurture babies and is the most important and only nutrition that a mother gives to her baby. It is also a bonding experience for both the mother and the infant.

 

• During the first 6 months of an infant’s life providing optimal nutrition is very essential and important. The bright yellowish colostrum secreted during the first 3-6 days after birth differs from mature milk. It has more protein, especially more immunoglobulin that helps to protect the infant against a number of infections.

 

• Breast milk contains carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and in addition to these it is very rich in immune cells which helps colonize the infant biome. The composition of human breastmilk is dynamic, and variations are also present with the stage of nursing, maternal diet, maternal health, and environmental exposure. The main concentration of nutrition is adequate to meet the estimated requirements for infants.

 

• Galactagogues are defined as medicines, foods, and other substances that help promote lactation. Breastmilk decides the health of the baby; a properly nurtured baby becomes physically and mentally strong. Sthanyajanana herbs mentioned in ayurvedic texts has lactogogues, energizers and soothing properties. A mother’s milk is the first choice of food for a newborn, it gives all essential elements for growth and development.

 

• Ways to Increase breast milk: Feeding is the best way to increase breastmilk production, nipple suckling by the baby acts as a stimulant to the mother’s brain to induce hormones which enhances breastmilk production. Ayurvedic herbs like Shatavari, Methi, Ginger, Cumin, Dill leaves Vidarikanda etc., which are galactagogues help to increase breastmilk production during the postnatal period.

 

• Shatavari Kalpa (Doothpapeshwar) contains Shatavari as main ingredient which is a clinically proven galactagogue. Taking these granules along with milk twice daily nourishes the mother and boosts natural milk flow during the postnatal period.

 

• Infants up to 6 months of age who receive adequate amounts of breastmilk grow at an optimal rate. They do not show clinical signs of being deficient at any stage. Hence mothers should be encouraged to initiate breastfeeding soon after birth and continue for the first 6 months of the baby's life without fail, followed by the introduction of solids.

 

Dr Mallika B.S. BAMS

Ayurveda Physician

Brahmionline

Phone: 8660501245 for appointments