World Breastfeeding Week (PAS), which is celebrated every August 1-7, is a moment to increase awareness of the importance of giving breast milk (ASI) for the health of babies. Breast milk contains many important nutrients that babies need for their growth and development. Starting from vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and various other important minerals. Apart from that, giving colostrum or breast milk which comes out for the first time shortly after giving birth is also full of nutrients and antibodies to protect the baby from infection. Apart from that, colostrum can also help the baby’s digestive system to function well.
Benefits of Babies for Mothers
Avoid giving formula milk to babies. Exclusive breastfeeding for babies for the first six months has extraordinary benefits. The nutrition from formula milk still cannot match the nutrition from breast milk. Apart from the baby’s health, exclusive breastfeeding also has various benefits for the mother’s health, including the following:
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Reduces the risk of getting cancer
The results of the study revealed that breastfeeding for at least 6 months can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer by up to 11 percent.
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Reducing insulin for breastfeeding mothers with diabetes
The oxytocin hormone released during breastfeeding can relieve stress which can trigger an increase in blood sugar levels.
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Delays the return of fertility
The hormones that produce breast milk can reduce the hormones that produce ovulation, so breastfeeding can be said to be a natural contraceptive to maintain a safe birth spacing.
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Increases maternal instinct
Psychologically, breastfeeding can increase self-confidence and emotional bonding between mother and baby.
Knowing the various benefits of exclusive breastfeeding on maternal health, it is hoped that this can provide motivation to mothers to be able and willing to provide breast milk to their children, at least for the first six months.
Continue to apply Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) during the breastfeeding period, and immediately contact the nearest health service facility if you experience problems with breastfeeding, so you can immediately get help from health workers.