First and foremost, we will talk about breastfeeding, its advantages and disadvantages. Human milk is unquestionably the best source of nutrition for infants during the first months of life.
Q: What are the advantages of breastfeeding?
A: Evidence concerning the prevention of infection by breastfeeding continues to accumulate. Of all infections, those that cause gastroenteritis are the most common. Babies will have fewer respiratory infections.
Cow’s milk protein, especially beta-lactoglobulin, is the commonest food allergen in infancy. This allergen is not present in human milk. Incidence of eczema in breast-fed babies is very rare. Even one complementary feed per day increases the risk of food allergy.
Breast-fed babies are less likely to become obese.
Breast-fed babies are less likely to have peri-anal soreness, or to develop intestinal obstruction, and being breast-fed affords some protection against dental caries.
The fact that breast-feeding decreases ovulation is an advantage in helping to space births.
Q: What are the disadvantages of breastfeeding?
A: Women who fully breastfeed have less freedom.
Some mothers object to breastfeeding because they say that it spoils their figure.
A fully breastfed baby is more likely to be underfed than a bottle-fed baby.
Breast-fed babies will pass many stools, which provide more work for the mothers.
Painful over-distension of the breast, soreness of the nipple mastitis and breast abscess are some common disadvantages of breastfeeding.
Dr. M.S. Karimuddin - Arab News
