Children are born with natural immunity. Their immunity increases with breastfeeding and decreases with use of antibiotic and some other medicines. Once the gut immunity is lost, probiotics and medicines cannot restore it completely. In fact effect of probiotics has been found to be temporary.

 

Breastfeeding is important because it:

• helps your child to develop good oral motor skills, facial muscles and teeth alignment

• helps your child's overall growth and development

• helps build the immunity of the baby

• develops a strong bond between you and your baby

• is comforting for your child and is relaxing for mom

• helps your child to develop a better sense of trust and security

• is always ready at the right time and temperature and is environmentally friendly, convenient and free

Breastfeeding gives newborns the nutrients they need with easy-to-digest proteins and natural immunities.  It nourishes the baby adequately and protects them against disease and infection. Colostrum, the milk that is produced at birth, is not only dense in nutrients, but is rich in natural antibodies that protect babies from bacteria and viruses that cause infection. 

Studies also show that breastfeeding promotes health long after childhood - adults who were breastfed as babies often have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, and are less likely to be overweight and develop type-2 diabetes. Furthermore, some findings suggest that people who were breastfed perform better on intelligence tests. Research also shows that breastfeeding offers protection against breast cancer for mothers.

Breastfeeding is vital for reducing under-nutrition in children. It is both cost effective and ideal for child nutrition. Because of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that deaths of children younger than five years old would be reduced by 13 to 20 percent worldwide if babies were breastfed exclusively (i.e. no other food or drink) for the first six months of life and then up to two years or longer with complementary feeding starting at six months of age.

Infant formula does not have the antibodies that breast milk does, and therefore does not provide the same protection against common childhood diseases. For those who do not have access to safe drinking water, formula is also linked to waterborne illness.  Unlike breast milk, which is free, available on-demand and nutritious, giving formula can be a costly affair and will not ensure the same nutrition to the baby. 

Thus breast milk is a nutritious, cheap and easily available resource that should be harnessed to promote the health of the babies. India can save the lives of 250,000 babies every year by just one action. Let us pledge our support for their survival and health.