The significance of breastfeeding in the wellness, wellbeing and growth of a baby and that of the mother is enormous.

This is why World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that breastfeeding begin within the first hour of a baby’s life and continue as often and as much as the baby wants.
Nutritional experts too recommend at least six months exclusive breastfeeding for every baby.

During the first few weeks of life babies may nurse roughly every two to three hours, and the duration of a feeding is usually ten to fifteen minutes on each breast.

Nigeria losing 20,000 women annually to poor breastfeeding, says FG

Older children feed less often. Mothers may pump milk so that it can be used later when breastfeeding is not possible.[1] Breastfeeding has a number of benefits to both mother and baby, which infant formula lacks.

Increased breastfeeding globally could prevent approximately 820,000 deaths of children under the age of five annually.[7] Breastfeeding decreases the risk of respiratory tract infections and diarrhea for the baby, both in developing and developed countries.[

Other benefits include lower risks of asthma, food allergies, and type 1 diabetes.[3] Breastfeeding may also improve cognitive development and decrease the risk of obesity in adulthood.

 Mothers may feel pressure to breastfeed, but in the developed world children generally grow up normally when bottle fed with formula.

Benefits for the mother include less blood loss following delivery, better uterus contraction, and decreased postpartum depression.

Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation and fertility, a phenomenon known as lactational amenorrhea.[3] Long-term benefits for the mother include decreased risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Breastfeeding is also less expensive than infant formula

As the world set for another Breastfeeding month this August, TVC News will on the Monday edition of its #BreakfastShow, engage experts on the significance of #ExclusiveBreatfeeding in the life of every baby.