The right proposition of nutrients is needed for infants to not only survive but also grow and develop properly. For this reason, breast milk is needed for six consecutive months without the introduction of any food. This is so because breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies, and contains the right quantities of fat, sugar, water, and protein. On the other hand, when the baby breastfeeds for six months it also has health benefits for the mother herself. Private Kamanzi, a nutritionist says on the side of the infant, these nutrients are major prerequisites to the health and survival of the baby. He says that when a child is exclusively breastfed, their immune system is strengthened, enabling it to fight against life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea amongst other infections. In fact, reports indicate that babies who are not breastfed for the first six months of life are 15 times more likely to die from Pneumonia compared to newborns that are breastfed exclusively for six months after birth. “Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. It has a nearly perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat, which are all essential for the infant to grow,” he says. In addition to this, Kamanzi notes that breast milk contains antibodies that help the baby fight off viruses and bacteria, which are common among infants due to their weak immune system. Another reason why mothers should strive at exclusively breastfeeding Kamanzi says is that it keeps their babies off from the risks of having asthma or allergies, ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea among others. From studies, breastfeeding has also been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood. What’s more is that physical closeness, skin-to-skin touching, and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure. Breastfed infants are more likely to gain the right amount of weight as they grow rather than become overweight children. For the mother David Rukerabigwi, a dietician and nutritionist working with Slim n’ Fit, a weight loss and wellness center in Kigali says it’s common for mothers to think that exclusive breastfeeding only helps their children. This, he says is a wrong perception, in fact, he points out that understanding that this also helps them in terms of improving their health is important. For instance, he says that when you give birth, it’s just normal that a mother will gain some weight; and one of the easiest ways to keep off this baby weight is through breastfeeding exclusively. He explains that breastfeeding helps in burning extra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster, as it releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth. Also, he notes that there are continued benefits from breastfeeding beyond one year, and up to two years, especially for the mother. In addition to this, it also lowers the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Kamanzi adds that another important aspect when it comes to exclusive breastfeeding is that it helps the mother to strengthen the bond between them and their infants, which is important. To ensure that the baby is getting enough milk for good nutrition, nutritionists advise checking if the baby is not losing more than seven percent of its birth weight in the first few days after delivery.
