Dr Mattias Larsson. Photo courtesy of Family Medical Practice
Dr Mattias Larsson*
In Vietnamese culture, breastfeeding for a long period is common and considered an essential part of raising a healthy child. Many Vietnamese mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months and continue to breastfeed for up to two years or more.
However, modern society poses challenges to this tradition, particularly with long working hours and less time for parents to care for their children. With the current rapid transmission of Vietnamese society, how can long traditions promoting good mother and child health be preserved?
Breast milk is the perfect nutrition as it contains a unique blend of nutrients, immune system boosters, vitamins, minerals and hormones that are essential for growth and development, and is constantly adapted to the needs of the child.
Breastfeeding supports the immune system as breast milk contains the mother's antibodies that help protect against infections, viruses and bacteria. These antibodies are not found in formula, so formula-fed babies are at a higher risk of developing infections, such as respiratory infections and diarrhoea. Breastfed babies also have a stronger immune system and are less likely to develop allergies, asthma, and eczema.
Research has shown that breast milk contains live bacteria, known as probiotics, which can help establish a healthy gut microbiome in infants. These beneficial bacteria are unique and not found in formula milk. The probiotics in breast milk also help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, prevent infections, support the immune system, and even improve digestion.
Brain development is enhanced as breast milk contains essential fatty acids. These fatty acids are not found in formula, so breastfed babies have an average higher IQ and are less likely to develop learning disabilities.
Breastfeeding also fosters a strong bond between mother and child, which is essential for emotional and cognitive development.
Physical contact and skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding can promote feelings of closeness and security for both mother and baby. The release of hormones during breastfeeding, such as oxytocin, further strengthens the bond between mother and child, creating a lifelong connection and long-lasting effects on the child's emotional and social development.
Weight loss after giving birth is another reason to breastfeed. Production of breast milk burns extra calories, which can help the mother lose the weight gained during pregnancy. Breastfeeding also releases hormones that help the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size.
Breastfeeding can also reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, decreasing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Formula milk is produced from cow milk. Many infants have the inability to digest the larger protein in cow milk, which might lead to digestive problems, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea and, in the longer run, cow milk protein allergy.
Some children also react if mothers have consumed dairy products as the proteins are transported into the mothers' milk. In such cases, the recommendation is for the mothers to avoid cow milk-containing products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt.
Breastfeeding is convenient for the mother. — Photo shutterstock.com
Breastfeeding is convenient for the mother. There is no need to prepare formula, heat bottles, or worry about sterilising equipment. Breast milk is always available and at the right temperature. Breastfeeding is also cheaper than formula feeding, saving parents a lot of money in the long run.
Environmental benefits are obvious: there is no packaging or waste associated with breastfeeding. It also eliminates the carbon footprint associated with producing and transporting formula milk.
In conclusion, breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial way to nourish infants and promote a strong bond between mother and child. Even partial breastfeeding can provide significant health benefits for infants and mothers, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended by the World Health Organisation.
By preserving the tradition of breastfeeding for a long period, we can promote the health and well-being of both mother and child and uphold the cultural values that have been passed down through generations. Family Medical Practice
*Dr Mattias Larsson is a pediatric doctor at Family Medical Practice and associate professor at Karolinska Institutet and has a long experience in research on infectious diseases, especially antibiotic resistance and hospital-acquired infections, as well as HIV, with many articles in peer-reviewed publications and mainstream media appearances. He has worked with the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, USAID, the Clinton Foundation, and the Ministry of Health of Việt Nam. He is fluent in English, Swedish, Vietnamese, German and some Spanish.
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