Breastfeeding still best for mother and baby
Tags: breast Cancer, breastfeeding, childhood health, obesity
Breastfeeding is good for both mother and baby
New research from Cambridge University that babies fed on formula milk cry less than breastfed infants because they are effectively “comfort eating” may not surprise many mums.
Reaching for the bottle can be an easy, and understandable, short-term solution when your child won’t stop crying.
The Cambridge research, highlighted by the BBC and the Guardian among others, shows that breastfed babies cry more, laugh less, and generally have “more challenging temperaments” than their formula-fed contemporaries.
But as the scientist who led the study, Dr Ken Ong, points out: “Bottle-fed babies may appear more content, but research suggests that these infants may be over-nourished and gain weight too quickly. Our findings are essentially similar to other stages of life; people often find that eating is comforting.”
The Department of Health and WCRF recommend that mothers feed their babies exclusively on breast milk for the first six months – for both the child’s and mother’s health.
We understand that breastfeeding can sometimes be a frustrating and challenging experience for some mums, which is why it’s important that women who want to breastfeed have access to the right information and support.
Research compiled by WCRF shows that breastfeeding not only protects the mother against breast cancer, it also means the child is less likely to become overweight in later life – one of the most important cancer risk factors after smoking.
Aside from these cancer-related benefits, breastfeeding also gives babies nutrition tailor-made for each individual child which contains antibodies and hormones to aid development.
Breast milk protects infants against some infections and tummy upsets, as well as eczema and other ailments. It’s also a great way for mums and babies to bond with each other, and it’s free and readily available!
For all these reasons we would encourage new mothers to stick with breastfeeding. The NHS and National Childcare Trust can both provide advice or you can consult your GP.
