Breast milk supplies macronutrients, micronutrients, immunoglobulins, antimicrobial agents, immune cells, growth factors, and hormones that nourish and protect newborns and support development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary foods for at least two years. Breastfeeding for six months appears to reduce risks of allergies, eczema, ear and respiratory infections, gastrointestinal problems, and later diabetes. Long-term maternal breastfeeding may lower risks of breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, and other diseases. Breastfeeding offers practical benefits—convenience, formula cost savings, reduced parental work absence, easier postpartum weight loss—and promotes oxytocin-mediated maternal-infant bonding.
Breast milk is a newborn's elixir. It naturally hasmacronutrients and micronutrients to nourish the baby, immunoglobulins, antimicrobial agents, immune cells to protect the baby, and growth factors and hormones to help them develop. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatricsrecommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately six months, followed by continued breastfeeding with complementary foods for at least two years. 1
There are advantages for mothers, too. Long-term breastfeeding may help lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, and certain other diseases in mothers. 3 And then there are the personal and practical benefits. You can breastfeed almost anywhere and anytime your baby is hungry. You can save up to $1,000 or more a year on formula. You are also less likely to miss work because breastfed babies are usually not sick as often. And a popular perk - breastfeeding mothers find it easier to lose weight after pregnancy. 4
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