Breastfeeding Protects Babies

  1. Breastfeeding protects babies
    Early breast milk is liquid gold – Known as liquid gold, colostrum (coh-LOSS-trum) is the thick yellow first breast milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth. This milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. Although your baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, it matches the amount his or her tiny stomach can hold.
  2. Your breast milk changes as your baby grows –
    Colostrum changes into what is called mature milk. By the third to fifth day after birth, this mature breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your baby continue to grow. It is a thinner type of milk than colostrum, but it provides all of the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs.
  3. Breast milk is easier to digest –
    For most babies — especially premature babies — breast milk is easier to digest than formula
  4. Breast milk fights disease –
    The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness. a. Formula-fed babies also have higher risks of:
    • Necrotizing (nek-roh-TEYE-zing) enterocolitis (en-TUR-oh-coh-lyt-iss), a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in preterm
    • Lower respiratory infections
    • Asthma
    • Obesity
    • Type 2 diabetes