Healthy Diet from Birth (Breastfeeding for babies)
A healthy diet starts early in life - breastfeeding fosters healthy growth, and may have longer-term health benefits, like reducing the risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing noncommunicable diseases later in life.
Baby need no other supplemental nutrition other than breast milk for at least the first six months after birth.
What exactly is in breast milk that makes is so good for health?
Proteins
Whey and casein are the two main types of proteins found in breast milk, about 60% and 40% respectively. These proteins help to regulate digestion by promoting healthy bacteria growth while inhibiting bad bacteria and other organisms in the gastrointestinal tract.
Protein also helps protect against infections and illness caused by bacteria and viruses including E. coli and salmonella.
Fats
For the first couple of years after baby is born, fats is very important for their development; and breast milk is chock full of fats.These are necessary for proper brain, retina, and nervous system development and for the absorption of certain vitamins. It is also their primary calorie source which helps with physical growth and feeling full.
Vitamins
Between what is already present in breast milk and what you take in through your food and prenatal vitamins, your baby receives all the vitamins they need without the use of supplements. However, it is very important that you continue on your prenatal vitamins and maintain a healthy diet so your baby doesn’t suffer from a vitamin deficiency.
Carbohydrates
Similar to proteins, carbohydrates – like the main one found in breast milk, lactose – help to regulate unhealthy bacteria in the stomach to improve vitamin absorption and fight disease.
Antibodies
The majority of babies who are breastfed are sick much less often than those on formula. They suffer far fewer cases of meningitis, ear and respiratory tract infections, gut problems, and urinary tract infections.
Why? Well, it is thanks to not only the proteins and lactose that regulate bacteria growth in the gut but also due to the presence of antibodies found in breast milk.
Breast milk contains all five forms of antibodies (immunoglobins): IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE, though IgA is found in the highest abundance. These help to create and strengthen baby’s immune system. These antibodies are particularly effective against colds, which will help them fight the cold quickly or even avoid it altogether.
It is also important to introduce a variety of safe and nutritious complementary foods at 6 months of age, while continuing to breastfeed until your child is two years old and beyond.
A Healthy Diet Chart For Children
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