Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby’s life is the traditional and ideal way to feed the baby. Breast milk is far superior in terms of nutrients concerning its unique composition that provides the baby with the components that are vital for life, nourishment and development, such as proteins, fats, vitamins, salts and minerals.
It contains all these elements at the best level and composition for the baby’s body to fully benefit from throughout his stages of development. Medical research stresses that breast milk contains cells which are able to form antibodies for microbes and viruses. So far, scientists know of four types of antibodies that are able to protect the baby from many diseases throughout the different stages of his life. Breast milk protects the child against food allergies that may emerge in the early years of the child’s life. Symptoms of food allergy can be rashes, digestive disorders or breathing difficulties. In some cases, a food allergy can even cause unconsciousness.
Doctors say that genetics determine a child's predisposition to allergies, but breast milk helps guard against it.
The results of researches which were conducted by Dr. Phialat, Professor of Allergies in the Faculty of Medicine in Paris, and Dr. Sameer Khidhr, Professor of Public Health in the Faculty of Medicine in Tanta (Egypt), show that breast milk contains immune bodies that decrease the production of immunoglobins, which cause allergies. Thus, breastfeeding has a great effect on preventing the emergence of allergies in the early years of the child’s life. It also contains elements from the environment that guard the body of the baby against any disease. Breastfeeding gives an opportunity for the child to build his immune system within approximately three months.
Medical research, which was conducted on breastfed children and children on baby formula, revealed that phosphorus fats are available in breast milk at higher rates. Phosphorus fat helps to form the nervous system of the child and plays a key role in his development. It has a great effect that extends throughout his lifetime. The research confirms that breastfed babies are more intelligent than babies who are fed on baby formula. The reason behind this is that the fastest development of the brain takes place in the first year of life. At that time, the baby needs full nutrients that are only available in breast milk. Shortage in such substances during this period often leads to shortcomings in the baby's mental capacities.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breast milk is considered to be the best nourishment for the baby and helps him grow and develop emotionally and mentally. Breast milk is clean and bacteria-free. It contains living white blood cells that help combat diseases, gives the baby necessary immunity and protects him from digestive disorders, diarrhea, respiratory system diseases, middle ear infection, allergy problems and sudden death syndrome. Breast milk strengthens the bond between the mother and the baby in a way that enhances the baby's ability to acquire knowledge in the future. Breast milk provides the baby with a balanced and nutritious food that suits each stage of development, especially during the first six months of the baby’s life.
Breast milk contains:
- A quantity of water which suffices the baby, even in hot weather.
- Various amounts of iron, salt, calcium and phosphate which are sufficient for the baby at this age.
- An amount of the lipase enzyme that helps the baby’s stomach to digest fats.
- Most forms of proteins and fats which are suitable for the baby and in the quantities required.
- Sufficient vitamins for the baby.
- It helps the baby’s jaws, speech and teeth to develop properly.
Benefits for the Mother
Breastfeeding benefits the mother as well, since it helps in:
- Cessation of post-partum bleeding.
- Prolonging the interval between two successive pregnancies, especially when breastfeeding runs regularly every 2-3 hours night and day without adding formula to the baby's diet.
- Rapid loss of weight.
- Minimizing the danger of breast and ovarian cancers.
- Saving time, since breast milk is always ready and does not need preparation or warming. A mother can breastfeed her baby whenever she wants and wherever she is without special preparation.
- Saving money, for breast milk is free.
- Strengthening the bond and love between the mother and her baby.
Risks of Infant Formula for the baby:
- Infant formula can be easily contaminated with microbes and bacteria, due to improperly cleaned bottles, teats (bottle nipples), or spoons. It may be contaminated via water or hands.
- Baby formula does not contain antimicrobials to protect the baby against infection.
- Baby formula becomes easily rancid if it is not used once prepared, particularly in hot weather.
- Baby formula is often powder whose preparation requires adding water. It is possible that a mother could put the incorrect quantity of water in, so the milk is too concentrated or too light, which can disturb the stomach of the baby and fail to satisfy his dietary needs.
- The holes of the teats may be too narrow so that a baby hardly sucks, or may be too wide so that the milk comes out rapidly and the baby chokes.
- The milk may be contaminated during preparation
- The heavy nature of formula milk may cause the baby to be overweight, and increases the risk of chronic diseases.
- A bottle-fed baby may be exposed to allergies, intestinal colic, respiratory diseases and permanent diarrhea.
- A baby may reject his mother's breast because baby formula tastes better to him.
- Lastly, it causes the baby to be confused between the breast nipple and the bottle teat, and this affects the emotional connection between the mother and the baby.
Risks of baby formula for the mother:
- Delay and decrease of breast milk production because the baby does not suck properly.
- An increase of the possibility of breast congestion or inflammation as the baby does not regularly take her milk.
- An increase of the risk of unplanned pregnancy
- An increase in the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and obesity.
- It reduces the possibility of regaining body shapeliness after childbirth.
Looking for the reasons why some mothers refuse to breastfeed their babies, it was found that there are a few: the mother might be going out to study or work, the mother fears that breastfeeding would affect her shapeliness, the mother may be fond of imitating Western women, and think that using formulas is some sort of modernity. Also, the mother may be unaware of the ideal way to breastfeed a baby.
Final Advice
We advise mothers to start breastfeeding their babies from the first hours after childbirth, meaning, once the milk comes. This must be in the first days that follow delivery. It is recommended that a baby is fed from one breast for at least half an hour, until the mother is sure that he is full, because the first quantity of milk contains water and sugar that increase the appetite of the baby and encourages him to continue breastfeeding.
All these facts unveil the secrets embedded in what Allah The Almighty Says (which means): {Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period].}[Quran 2:233]