Breastfeeding is connected to so many benefits for the baby that it would be difficult to list and describe all of them within a single article. Nothing could be better for a newborn organism than the natural food that the mother can provide.
Mother’s milk is the best medicine when it comes to the immunity of a newborn. It boosts the immune response and protects the baby from a number of medical conditions that could be experienced if the young one is fed formula.
If you are looking for yet another reason to start breastfeeding, keep on reading.
According to new studies, babies that have been breastfed grow to be more intelligent adults than their peers. Scientists found out that only a four-week mother’s milk diet can lead to serious intellectual and mental development during childhood years.
The study compared the test results of children who were breastfed and of those who were fed formula. Children came from similar families and had nearly identical social background to ensure the fairness of the study.
Researchers examined the performance of 10,000 children. Those who were breastfed performed consistently better in school.
Daily Mail published the results of the study carried out by Maria Iacovou, a scientist at the Institute for Social and Economic Research at University of Essex. According to her, breastfed babies grow into children that can read better and that outperform peers when it comes to math. The study focused on children aged five, seven, 11 and 14.
It is still difficult to point out if the better school results are connected to the components of mother’s milk or to the fact that mothers who breastfeed are generally more nurturing and paying attention to the needs and development of their children.
Despite the fact that so many studies confirm the benefits of breastfeeding, the percentage of breastfeeding moms in many countries remains troublingly low. What makes the situation even more problematic is the fact that a large percentage of all moms give up on breastfeeding without even giving it a try.
According to Iacovou, many mothers are uncertain about breastfeeding because of societal attitudes towards the process. She said that efforts should focus on encouraging all the women that are willing to give breastfeeding a try.
The fact that breastfeeding could somehow be connected to intellectual growth is just a small additional benefit that can be used to stimulate mothers and moms-to-be. Breastfeeding is so important and so beneficial. Mothers who are uncertain about it should not be ostracized, Iacovou said.
Breastfeeding is also connected to various benefits for the mom. Most importantly, it established an amazing connection between the mom and her newborn child. The emotional aspect of it is something that should never be underestimated.
In addition, scientists have proven that breastfeeding is connected to diminished ovarian and breast cancer risk. It affects female hormones in a very beneficial way. Breastfeeding helps moms return to their fit shape.
Breastfeeding is a matter of personal choice. It is hindered by numerous factors. Many moms cannot breastfeed, even if they are willing to do so, because of strong pressure to return to work. Whether or not breastfeeding makes kids more intelligent, it is something that should be given a try.