The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth. And then breastfeeding in combination with solid foods until at least age 1. Extended breast-feeding or full term breastfeeding is if you plan to breastfeed your baby beyond age 1. It is also recommended as long as the mother and baby wish to continue.
There are significant benefits of extended breastfeeding for both baby and mother.
The benefits of extended breast-feeding for a baby include:
Balanced nutrition
As the baby gets older, the composition of a mother’s breast milk will continue to change to meet his or her nutritional needs. And breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues. There’s no known age at which breast milk is considered to become nutritionally insignificant for a child.
Boosted immunity
As long as you breast-feed, the cells, hormones and antibodies in your breast milk will continue to bolster your baby’s immune system. Babies who breastfeed have decreased incidences of illness and lower mortality rates.
Improved health
Research suggests that the longer breast-feeding continues and the more breast milk a baby drinks, the better his or her health might be.
Boosts brain development
It boosts brain development. Studies have shown that breastfeeding helps boost brain development in babies.
Prevents dehydration
When a child gets sick, breast milk may be the only thing he’ll consume. This helps him stay hydrated and boosts his immune system.
The benefits of extended breast-feeding for a mother include:
Good health
Extended breast-feeding — as well as breast-feeding for 12 months or more cumulatively in life — has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Weight loss
Continued breastfeeding may help to keep your weight in check, and even help in losing weight. Some research shows that breastfeeding combined with a healthy diet and exercise may keep you trimmer for years to come.
–– Anshika Srivastava —