How will breastfeeding affect my baby’s health in the future?
The benefits of breastfeeding last a lifetime, and breast milk is the ideal first food for babies. It remains their main source of nutrition for the first year, even when solids are added. After one year, solids become the main source of nutrition, but breast milk continues to provide key nutrients for your baby. It's tailor-made to fit their needs and is constantly changing as they grow, helping strengthen their bones along the way.
Your breast milk continues to benefit your older baby/toddler. Because the immune system isn't fully developed until around 3-6 years of age, offering breast milk far into toddlerhood is becoming more common. Your breast milk helps establish a strong immune system for your baby, both now and in the future. The risk for illnesses is decreased, and if they do get sick, the illness is usually shorter and less severe.
More Benefits:
For Baby
- Brain development: Higher scores on IQ tests in grade school; studies show the highest scores among those breastfed the longest.
- Enhances social development: Creates security, decreases stress, and encourages well-adapted, independent children.
- Soothes a toddler's emotions: Nursing provides comfort, reassurance, and helps toddler's regulate their emotions.
- Decreases risk of childhood obesity: Risk decreases the longer a child is breastfed.
For Mom
- Decreases risk of breast cancer: The longer you breastfeed, the lower the risk. This applies to breastfeeding multiple children too!
- Reduces risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Lowers risk of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease.
- Burns calories, aiding in weight loss/maintenance.
Breast milk is truly the gift that keeps on giving! Click here for some more mind-blowing breast milk benefits. Click here for ideas to respond to criticism when breastfeeding an older child.
SOURCE:
https://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/