Why we have a world breastfeeding week

So, breastfeeding… why should we have a world breastfeeding week? How does that concern me if I don’t have a kid am breastfeeding? Why should I even read this post if a man? As in why should I care about boobs I can’t even play with? The answer is simple; it is because breastfeeding is the best thing mothers can ever do to their children and as a society, it is our job to support these mothers as they do so. It is up to us be nice and not sneer when they have to feed their babies in the matatus or when they need to express milk at the office because they can’t be home to feed the baby all the time. 

The World Breastfeeding Week 2016 theme is on raising awareness of the links between breastfeeding and the Sustainable Development Goals. By recognizing that breastfeeding is a key to sustainable development, we will value our wellbeing from the start of life, respect each other and care for the world we share. (http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org)

Breast milk is kind of magical. Imagine one liquid having all the nutrients a baby needs for the first six months of life? How awesome is that? You don’t even need to give your child water because breast milk covers the baby’s water needs too! If breast milk was to be bought in a store most children would go hungry because it is too precious to go at an affordable price. God, in all His wisdom, gave mothers the ability to make this liquid gold and it is our job to support all breastfeeding mothers if we want a healthy future.

Benefits of breastfeeding for the baby

·         Breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs in the right proportions and the right temperature.

·         Breast milk protects your baby from both short term and long term diseases. This is because breast milk contains antibodies that help fight viruses and bacteria. This means that your baby will suffer from diseases like stomach viruses, meningitis, ear infections and lower respiratory illnesses less often and if they get the infections, they will be less severe because the baby will have a high immunity. Breast milk also reduces the risk of your child developing chronic diseases e.g. diabetes type 1, celiac disease, asthma and allergies.

·         Children who are exclusively breast fed have a lower risk of becoming obese.

·         Breast fed children have a high IQ. If you want to brag of how your child scoops all the academic awards in the future, you have to make sure that your baby has the best food from the very start which is nothing other than breast milk.

·         Ever heard of babies who just die suddenly for no particular reason? The risk of this condition known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is reduced by about half when a baby is breast fed.

·         Stronger bones. Calcium in breast milk is easily absorbed by the baby which helps your baby build strong bones.

·         Breast feeding helps the baby to bond with the mother. Thanks to oxytocin (a hormone released during breastfeeding) a baby forms a bond with his/her mother which makes the baby feel safe and babies who get this feeling are healthier babies.

·         The one thing that I love most about breast milk is that it is always ready to drink. No need to prepare or warm it. The fact that it comes in attractive containers is also a plus #wink.