Breast-feeding
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, strongly recommend breastfeeding exclusively (no formula, juice, or water) for 6 months. After the introduction of other foods, it recommends continuing to breastfeed through the baby’s first year of life. Newborns often want to feed every 2-3 hours. By 2 months, feeding every 3-4 hours is common, and by six months, most babies feed every 4-5 hours. Benefits for the baby: - Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. It has a nearly perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat - Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. - Breastfeeding lowers your baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. - Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies Benefits for mother: - Breastfeeding burns extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster. - It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth. - Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer. - It may lower your risk of osteoporosis, too. Source : webMD
