The benefits of breastfeeding in the baby's digestive health
The lactation it is a decision that positively affects both the mother and the baby. There are many studies that support the positive results of breastfeeding children. Breast milk is very important, firstly, because it ensures that the smallest of the house receive important nutrients that will ensure a proper development in their first days and months of life.
Now, a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports indicates another benefit of the lactation maternal and that helps babies develop properly. Specifically, this work reveals another of the effects of breastfeeding the smallest, specifically the correct development of their digestive health.
Population of bacteria
The data from this study reveal that those babies who were breastfed presented a more stable population of microbiota. That is, a number of digestive bacteria that helps the smallest of the house have a good assimilation of nutrients that pass through the stomach of children.
E. coli, Clostridium difficile, Enterococcus, Enterobacter and Citrobacter are some of the bacteria that increase their presence thanks to breast milk. In this way, breastfeeding remains a fundamental source of bioactive components, including bacteria that can contribute to neonatal gastrointestinal colonization and immunological development and maturation during the crossing first stages developmental.
And is that the microbiota can even prevent health problems as serious as obesity. This is indicated by studies such as the one published in the magazine Pediatric Endocrinology where several studies that report the alteration of the intestinal flora in recent years and the growth of intestinal problems in the new generations are collected.
Benefits of breastfeeding
As mentioned before, breastfeeding has a great importance in the development of every child because of the amount of benefits it has. These are several of the ones that stand out World Health Organization:
- Provides all the energy and nutrients they need during the first months of the baby's life and continues to provide at least half of their nutritional needs during the second half of the first year and up to a third during the second year of life.
- Encourages sensory and cognitive development, in addition to protecting the baby from infectious and chronic diseases. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to childhood illnesses, such as diarrhea or pneumonia, and promotes early recovery in case of illness.
- Helps the mother achieve health and wellbeing after childbirth. It also reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, increases the resources of the family and the country, is a safe way of feeding and is safe for the environment.
Damián Montero
