World Breastfeeding Week 2017: Know how breastfeeding benefits mother and baby!

Image for representational purpose only

New Delhi: Every year, the first week of August is celebrated as World Breastfeeding Week through out the world to encourage mothers and families to support breastfeeding.

Breastmilk provides the ideal nutrition for infants and also contains antibodies that helps them to fight off viruses and bacteria.

Breastfeeding not only ensure child's good health and survival, but also provides some benefits for the mothers.

Here are a few benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby:

Reduces risk of chronic conditions

Breastfeeding will reduce your child's risk of developing chronic conditions like type I diabetes, celiac disease and Crohn's disease.

Lower SIDS risk

Mothers should breastfeed their babies as it reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by about half.

Stronger bones

Some studies have shown that women who breastfeed their babies have lower risk of developing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Weight problem

Breastfeeding will make both mother and baby less likely to become obese.

Reduces cancer risk

Breastfeeding can decrease baby's risk of some childhood cancers and mother's risk of premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer.