Candice Stewart |Breastfeeding is beneficial to heart health

Breastfeeding is more than just the act of feeding a baby, it also provides exponential heart health benefits for both a mother and her child. While breastfeeding and observing skin-to-skin contact, the body releases oxytocin, which helps the uterus to contract, in turn reducing post-partum bleeding. It also lowers stress levels, which is a bonus for heart health. Additionally, breastfeeding goes a far way in assisting women get back to their pre-pregnancy weight, which is another win for heart health.

For babies, breast milk is a nutrition powerhouse. It’s packed with essential nutrients and antibodies that help build a strong immune system. Studies show that breastfed babies have a lower risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol later in life. All these factors are extremely important for keeping their hearts healthy as they grow up.

In short, breastfeeding is like a superpower for both mom and baby’s hearts. It’s a natural and nurturing way to feed babies, while also ensuring that mothers take care of their own heart health.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

What nutrients in breast milk support heart health?

Breast milk is a nutrition powerhouse for your babies’ health. It’s packed with all the necessary ingredients that support overall health, including heart health.

• Proteins: Breast milk is loaded with high-quality proteins that are very easy to digest. These proteins are the building blocks for a baby’s growth and development, helping to form healthy tissues and organs, including the heart.

• Carbohydrates: The main carbohydrate in breast milk is lactose. It provides a steady source of energy for your little one and helps with the absorption of calcium, which is crucial for strong bones and a healthy heart.

• Fats: Breast milk is rich in healthy fats, like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for brain development. They also play a role in maintaining heart health by supporting the development of healthy blood vessels and reducing inflammation.

• Vitamins and minerals: Breast milk, also known as liquid gold, contains vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and zinc. These nutrients are essential for the proper functioning of the heart and other organs. For example, vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium, which is important for maintaining a healthy heart rhythm.

• Antibodies: Breast milk is packed with antibodies and other immune-boosting factors that help protect babies from infections and illnesses. A strong immune system is crucial for overall health, including heart health, as it helps prevent infections that could potentially affect the heart.

• Hormones and enzymes: Breast milk also contains various hormones and enzymes that aid in digestion and regulate the baby’s metabolism. These components help ensure that the baby’s body functions optimally, supporting overall health and well-being.

Breastfeeding ensures that babies are given the best possible start in life, promoting not only immediate health benefits, but also long-term cardiovascular health.

SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT

Prioritising skin-to-skin contact, aka ‘kangaroo care’, is crucial! It involves holding the baby close against a mother’s (or father’s) bare chest, and it’s incredibly beneficial for both parent and child –fostering a deep emotional bond and promoting overall health.

• Regulates vital signs: Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate babies’ body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. The warmth of the mother’s body provides a natural incubator, keeping the baby comfortable and stable.

• Promotes heart health: The close physical contact during breastfeeding releases oxytocin. Its calming effect reduces stress levels for both mother and baby, contributing to better heart health and overall well-being, and reducing the risk of post-partum depression.

• Enhances bonding: The intimate act of a mother holding her baby skin-to-skin fosters a strong emotional connection. The little one will feel secure and loved, while the mother experiences a sense of closeness and attachment. This bonding is crucial for babies’ emotional development and the mother’s mental health.

• Supports breastfeeding: Kangaroo care stimulates a baby’s natural instincts, leading to better feeding and milk production. This, in turn, will encourage the baby to latch more effectively, making breastfeeding easier and more successful.

• Boosts immunity: Close contact exposes the baby to the mother’s skin flora. This helps to build their immune system and provides protection against infections and illnesses.

It is important to recognise the profound bond that breastfeeding creates between a mother and her baby. Breastfeeding is not just about nourishment; it’s an intimate act of love that fosters a deep emotional connection.

Close physical contact releases oxytocin, promoting feelings of warmth and trust. Let’s honour the love and bonding that breastfeeding brings, a testament to the enduring power of a mother’s love.

Candice Stewart is communications coordinator at Cradle of Life Limited. Send feedback to support@cradleoflifeltd.com.