Exclusive Breastfeeding

What Is Exclusive Breastfeeding?

Exclusive breastfeeding means that a baby is fed only breast milk for the first six months of his life, with no additional food or drinks. This is the best nourishment for the baby, who is not even given water.

Benefits of Exclusive Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby

The importance of exclusive breastfeeding can never be understated. It minimises the dangers of infections and diseases. Furthermore, it is also considered beneficial for the mother, too. Read on to understand the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding for a baby and his mother.

Scientific studies have revealed that the healthiest babies are those that have been exclusively breastfed.

For the first six months of a baby’s life, breast milk is all that a baby really needs.

Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the best ways to minimise the chances of a baby getting diarrhoea, allergies, pneumonia and suffering from malnutrition, the addition of any other food will considerably increase the risks of the same.

• Exclusive breastfeeding is known to considerably decrease infant mortality on account of common childhood illnesses.
• Exclusive breastfeeding delays fertility assisting appropriate time intervals between pregnancies.
• Exclusively breastfeeding mothers are less prone to the cancer of the breasts and ovaries.
• Exclusive breastfeeding is also economical as it eliminates the need to purchase supplements and expensive formulas and equipment.
• Colostrum in breast milk cleans the stomach and promotes a healthy gut, eliminating the need for medicines.
• Exclusive breastfeeding helps the new mother to lose weight after delivery.
• Mothers who breastfeed exclusively are less likely to experience postpartum depression.
• The more a baby suckles, the more milk will be made in the breasts; this natural mechanism helps make exclusive breastfeeding a viable choice.
• Exclusive breastfeeding is also possible for working mothers via expressed breast milk. Expressed breast milk remains good for up to ten hours at room temperature and approximately three days in the fridge.