Does breastfeeding protect babies?
Breastmilk is liquid gold. Colostrum is a thick, yellow milk produced during pregnancy and shortly after birth. This milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies that protect your baby. Although your baby receives only a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, it is exactly appropriate for the size of their tiny stomach and how much it can hold.
Does breastmilk change as your baby grows?
Colostrum begins to change into what is called mature milk around the third to fifth day after birth. Mature milk contains the perfect amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your constantly growing baby. It is thinner than colostrum, but provides all the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs.
Is breastmilk easier to digest?
For most babies—especially premature infants—breastmilk is easy to digest. It takes much longer for a baby’s stomach to adjust and break down the proteins found in cow’s milk.
Does breastmilk fight illnesses?
This protection is unique. No formula can match the chemical composition of breastmilk. Babies who are fed any other type of milk experience ear infections and diarrhea more frequently.
They are also at higher risk for:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in premature infants
- Lower respiratory tract infections
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Some studies also show that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes, childhood leukemia, and atopic dermatitis (a type of skin rash) in babies. Breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
