Why is breastfeeding important

Keep in mind that feeding your baby is a learned skill. This milk is very rich in nutrients and includes antibodies to protect your baby form infections. Your baby gets only a small amount of colostrum at each feeding because the stomach of a newborn infant is tiny and can hold only a small amount. Colostrum changes into mature milk by the third to the fifth day after birth. This mature milk has the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein to help your baby grow.

It looks thinner than colostrum, but has the right nutrients your baby needs to grow healthy. The cells, hormones and antibodies in breastmilk protect babies from illnesses. Research suggests that breastfed babies have lower risks of 1 :. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrition.

Among its other known health benefits are some protection against common childhood infections and better survival during a baby's first year, including a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Research also shows that very early skin-to-skin contact and suckling may have physical and emotional benefits. Other studies suggest that breastfeeding may reduce the risk for certain allergic diseases, asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Navigation menu. For My Baby.

For Me. Why is Breastfeeding Important? You can count on WIC! Breastfeeding For more information go to: www. Why is Breastfeeding Important for your Baby? Breast milk helps keep your baby healthy. It supplies all the necessary nutrients in the proper proportions. It protects against allergies, sickness, and obesity. It protects against diseases, like diabetes and cancer.