Due to the benefit of breastfeeding for mothers and babies, the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Ministry of Health launched an exclusive breastfeeding movement for babies aged zero to six months. Breast milk (ASI) is the first and foremost food in infants because it contains various substances for babies.
Breastfeeding is needed for babies until the little one is over 6 months old because when the baby is born, the process of absorption of the stomach is imperfect. Nutrition for the baby must be easy to digest. Breast milk is the only natural food to full fill the need of babies.
Actually, what are benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the mother to maintain the health of babies?
1. Stimulate baby’s emotional development
Baby’s who get exclusive breastfeeding tend to have the ability to control their emotions when they enter the school age. This is evidenced in research conducted in the U. S. In this study, the experts said that the neurohormonal’s theory could be the reason.
The theory revealed that contact between mother and baby when giving exclusive breastfeeding stimulates cognitive and emotional development. From physical contact during breastfeeding, the inner bond between mother and the baby will also be tightened.
In addition, during breastfeeding, the mother's body will release the hormone oxytocin, one of which serves to reduce stress levels in the mother so that the mother will become more stable in supporting baby development.
2. Stimulating nervous system growth and development
The first few months of life are often known as the "golden period" of the baby's growth, ranging from physical, cognitive to psychological.
Breast milk is the best food that can support all of that because it contains various nutrients that are needed by babies, such as protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.
All these nutrients will stimulate the development of the baby's nervous system, even this does not only occur in babies born quite month. Optimal nerve development can also be obtained by babies born prematurely by exclusive breastfeeding.
3. Stronger body endurance
Even though, it doesn't seem to have a direct impact on your baby's mental development, breast milk makes the baby stronger and not easily sick. Breast milk also reduces your baby's risk of digestive disorders, allergies, asthma and diabetes later on.
Now, Moms already know, the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding. Remember, if Moms want to give exclusive breastfeeding, Moms may not provide any food and drink to baby’s before they are 6 months old, whether it is water or honey.
