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Do You Know that every 9 out of 10 of the world's mothers breastfeed ?

Benefits of Mother's milk to infant:

Breast milk provides exactly the right temperature and the correct nutrients whenever your baby wants it which is easy to digest.

Colostrums or first milk which is high in protein is produced during pregnancy and in the first two to four days of life prior to the milk 'coming in'. This is rich in antibodies to help protect your new baby from infections and build resistance. Colostrums also aid the smooth passage of meconium (sticky dark stool that has been in the bowels of your baby during pregnancy) through the bowels.

Breastfed babies suffer fewer infections in their first year. Their need for antibiotics is also reduced, which avoids any side-effects to their immature immune system. Infections include those to the eyes, ears, chest, urinary system, skin and gastrointestinal system etc.

Common myths of Breast feeding:

- Breastfeed ruins shape of Breast:

Breastfeeding will not ruin the shape of your breasts in the future. Once you have finished feeding, they will return to approximately their pre-pregnant size. Inverted or flat nipples need not be a problem and many women breastfeed successfully with little or no help.

- Can not feed toddler while pregnant:

You can continue to feed your toddler even if you are pregnant with another baby!

- Formula feed is better:

Breast feed is best but women can switch to formula feed when lactating is problem or insufficient.

- Breastfeed leads to irregular periods:

If you exclusively breastfeed, then your periods may not return to regular for up to a year. This is nature's way of making the natural and therefore safer to keep gap longer between children. This benefits both mother and infant. However, breastfeeding should not be relied upon as a method of contraception.