Benefits of Breast Milk: Its Importance in Baby Development

by Abbas Jahangir · June 13, 2024

Breast Milk: Baby’s First Miraculous Food!

Motherhood is considered one of the most sacred qualities in every part of the world and in every period. It is the mother’s first duty to give birth to a baby, to be a mother to him, and to protect him from all evil and harm. Witnessing his first steps and hearing his first words are stages of this beautiful feeling.

Babies are born dependent on their mothers. The nutritional needs that enable them to survive are also met by the mother. Milk secretion, which is a characteristic of motherhood, is a hormonal production that will meet all the needs of babies during the first 6 months. During this period, the mother should be careful about what she eats and drinks.

We have prepared this article to give you the necessary information about the importance of breast milk . You can find the sacred bond between breast milk and breastfeeding in this article. The miracle of breast milk, which is necessary for the healthy development of your baby, has been researched for you.

For the most accurate information and healthy results, consult your specialist doctor. The information contained in our content does not constitute a prescription.

What are the benefits of breast milk?

Breast milk contains important nutritional sources such as vitamins, iron, protein and fat that the baby may need in the first 6 months.
Breast milk protects the baby from infectious diseases.
Breast milk meets all the baby’s fluid needs; Your baby’s water needs are met with breast milk.
Breast milk protects against abdominal pain and diarrhea that may occur in the baby.
Constipation may be less common in breastfed babies.
Sucking supports the formation of the baby’s jaw and tooth structure.
The risk of anemia is low in babies who are breastfed for the first 6 months.
Since breastfed babies will also establish an emotional bond with the mother; It is also important for the baby’s psychological development.

Breast Milk Nutritional Values

Breast milk is the only nutritional source that supports the development of the baby. The baby should be fed only breast milk for the first 6 months after birth. Because breast milk is the answer to all the food and drinks the baby needs.

Breast milk, which also has the feature of protecting babies from possible infection, is almost a protector for the baby in the new world he comes to. There are more than 100 components in breast milk that cannot be produced in a laboratory environment. These components are also necessary for all your baby’s cells.

Approximately 100 grams of breast milk contains 7.2 grams of carbohydrates, 1.3 grams of protein, 4.1 grams of fat, 14 mg sodium, 58 mg potassium, 34 mg calcium and 241 vitamin A. It also contains 3.7 mg of vitamin C. Since breast milk has a high nutritional value, it contains everything that ensures the vital continuity of the baby.

The Importance of Breast Milk for Baby Health

The baby’s entire health code is hidden in breast milk. Breast milk is a vital fluid that supports muscle and bone development for the baby. It meets the baby’s solid and liquid food needs. Likewise, the brain and nervous system develop with breast milk. Breast milk has a great effect on making the baby more resistant to possible diseases. The fact that he does not suffer from allergies is also due to the power of the breast milk he consumes.

The first milk produced by the mother after birth is called colostrum. Colostrum protects the baby against microbes in the environment. Babies fed with breast milk have fewer skin irritations and diaper rash. Doctors define breast milk as the baby’s first vaccine.

Colostrum, the first milk secreted after birth, is important. The first milk, which has a yellow and dark color, helps the baby stay healthy for many years. If your birth is near and there is yellow fluid coming from your breasts, do not worry. These yellow liquids are called colostrum. Colostrum, which helps protect the baby from disease in the future and strengthens the immune system, is secreted by women who give birth.

Breast Milk Storage Methods

Some mothers who have just given birth continue their working lives for a while after giving birth. In this case, breast milk storage methods are preferred so that the baby’s relationship with breast milk is not interrupted . In the absence of the mother, those who care for the baby must meet the baby’s milk needs by giving breast milk. Here are a few methods that are ideal for storing breast milk:

To store breast milk, you can take the milk with a breast milk expression machine and preserve it at room temperature, in the refrigerator or deep freezer.
Breast milk storage periods are the most important detail to pay attention to. Milk stored in the deep freezer can stay at -18 degrees for a maximum of 3 months.
Its lifespan in the refrigerator is 3 days. It can stay at 0-4 degrees in the refrigerator section.
Milk to be stored should stay away from the sun for a maximum of 3 hours at room temperature and the temperature should be between 19 and 26 degrees.
Glass containers with securely closing mouths should be preferred to store expressed milk.
Before storing, you should add a note to remind you on which day you expressed and stored the milk.
You can also use special bags produced to store breast milk. It should be noted that these bags do not contain BPA and BPS. These substances are chemicals that disrupt the balance of hormones.
The container or bag in which you will store the milk should not be filled completely. It is important to remember that milk will expand.

Why Does Breast Milk Stop?

Many mothers complain that their milk supply has stopped in the days after birth. There are certain reasons for this situation, which makes the mother psychologically upset when the baby stops sucking milk, the milk is low or there is not enough milk for the baby. If the mother’s milk started to stop at an early age; First of all, it is necessary to know the psychological and biological factors. Some factors that cause the mother’s milk supply to stop are as follows:

Stress is a psychological reason that suddenly stops breast milk. Since the mother’s hormones affect milk production, milk secretion will stop in mothers who are in a bad mood and mood. To prevent this situation, it is recommended that the mother always be in a pleasant and cheerful environment and spend time with her loved ones. Stress-related lactation is prevented by the moral support given to the mother. Therefore, the mother should not give up immediately and think that she is strong. You can prevent your milk supply from stopping when you think that a long and tiring process is over and imagine the healthy and peaceful days you will spend with your baby.
Birth control pills are also among the external factors that stop breast milk. Birth control pills prevent the lactation process in the mother and cause the milk to stop.
Irregular and intermittent breastfeeding is also a situation that disrupts the balance of milk and causes it to stop. Doctors recommend that mothers breastfeed their babies every 2 hours.
In case of calcium deficiency , breast milk is curtailed. The main component of breast milk is calcium, and if the mother stays away from foods containing calcium, it causes her milk to stop. In order to prevent breast milk from curdling after birth, it is recommended that the expectant mother eat very well during pregnancy and consume dairy products regularly if she is not allergic.
Breast inflammation , that is, mastitis, is another cause of milk curdling. Infections and inflammations in the nipple cause milk not to come.
Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition, hormonal disorders, and getting pregnant again while breastfeeding are other factors that cause breast milk to stop.

What Can Be Done with Breast Milk?

Breast milk is known as one of the most valuable drinks on earth, thanks to the minerals and vitamins in its structure. It meets all the nutritional needs of babies, especially those who have just opened their eyes to the world. As the baby grows, the need for breast milk decreases day by day. After a certain period of time, breast milk can be stopped when the time comes, thanks to additional food and complementary foods.

So, if there is a stock of breast milk in the freezer, what can be done with this milk? How can you give milk differently when the baby is still receiving breast milk? Experts offer some suggestions to present breast milk in more beneficial and different ways:

Yogurt tastings start from the baby’s 6th month. You can ferment these yoghurts with breast milk, if available. It is especially recommended for small and daily jars of yoghurt.
You can use it as a lotion for diaper rash on the baby’s skin. Breast milk heals skin wounds in babies.
During the complementary feeding journey, you can make rice pudding or pudding for babies using breast milk. You can spice up your meals with an average of 100 ml of breast milk.

For the most accurate information and healthy results, consult your specialist doctor. The information contained in our content does not constitute a prescription.