Some Practical Benefits of Breastfeeding

Source: Summayyah's Garden (http://www.sumayyahs-garden.org)

Assalamu aliekum wa rahmat'Allah, Here are a few conclusions come to by modern medicine and study that again confirm the wisdom of Allah the exalted and the completness and perfection of Islam.

Breastfed babies:

• get sick less often and get less severe illnesses
• are hospitalized less often and have a lower rate of mortality
• have a lower risk of diarrheal disease
• have a lower incidence of gastrointestinal illness
• have a lower risk of urinary tract infections
• have a lower incidence of respiratory disease
• have a lower incidence of otitis media ear infections
• have al lower incidence of allergies
• have a lower rate of pneumonia
• have lower rates of obesity
• have a lower incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• have fewer learning and behavior difficulties

Breastfeeding:

• helps bond mother and child
• confers passive immunity
• is protective against measles and other communicable diseases
• provides optimal growth and neurological development
• prevents malocclusion and leads to better teeth and jaw development
• protects against hypothermia
• provides partial protection against necrotising entercolitis
• provides major protection against bacteremia and meningitis
• reduces the incidence of childhood lymphoma
• enhances visual development
• provides protection against neonatal sepsis
• is less risky for premature babies and low birth rate babies

Artificially fed babies:

• have an increased risk factor for juvenile diabetes
• may have impaired antibody response to vaccines
• who are premature experience apnea and bradycardia more frequently
• have a higher risk of inflammatory illness
• have a higher risk of celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cholera, and neonatal hypocalcemic tetany

Benefits for the Mother from breastfeeding:

• bonds mother and child
• provides the mother hormonal induced contentment
• encourages efficient uterine contractions after childbirth
• allows mothers to lose pregnancy weight and size faster
• is convenient
• the milk is pre-warmed, clean and always available
• is cost effective and saves money
• contributes to natural family planning
• contributes to household food security
• fosters confidence and promotes self-esteem
• reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections
• is protective against cancer (breast, ovarian, cervical)
• lowers the incidence of chronic hepatitis
• reduces the incidence of osteoporosis
• reduces the requirements of insulin for lactating diabetic mothers Benefits for the community

Additionally breastfeeding:

• results in less environmental waste and pollution
• frees up health resources
• saves money for hospitals and health clinics
• may decrease spending on imports.

and more....

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