Saudi Gazette If a mother wants to reduce her baby's ear infections or give them the best chance at a high IQ and good health, she should concentrate on breastfeeding, according to medical experts. Women and child health lactation consultant at King Abdul Aziz Medical City, Razaz Mohammed Wali, said breastfeeding babies was essential to strong physical and mental development. "Breastmilk is considered the first food of life, and the first vaccine the baby will take as the breast milk is rich in antibodies that protect the baby from infections," Wali said. Many medical studies have shown that breastmilk contains all the nutrients babies need at the levels they require according to their age. According to Wali, studies show that breastfeeding helps protect infants from infections of the chest, ear, and gastrointestinal system. "Breastfeeding tends to protect babies from leukaemia. Studies showed that babies who breastfeed tend to be emotionally stable and tend to do better in school compared to formula fed babies," she said. Breastfeeding is also vital for mothers, as it helps to decrease complications related to labour, such as postpartum bleeding. It also helps to space pregnancies out, helping mothers regain their full health. Wali said new studies have shown that breastfeeding tends to lower disease in women, including breast and ovarian cancers, and that it helps to protect mothers from osteoporosis and mental disorders. "Breastfeeding is important for the community because it has no left over and no products that are hazardous to the community. It helps parents to save between 8000 to 12000 Saudi Riyals per year spent on breastmilk substitutes," she said. International recommendations support exclusive breastfeeding for the first six-months of an infants life, followed by gradual introduction of solid food in addition to breastfeeding for two years and beyond. "If we take the hazards of the formula in summary, it is difficult to digest as well it does not have all the nutrients that the baby needs and it is prone to infection due to high concentrations of sugar. Another hazard in the formula is the high concentrations of salt and preservatives that cannot be handled by the babies' kidneys," she said. "Breastfeeding is a challenge for new mothers and I can assure them it is difficult in the early stages, but once it is established it will be very easy and can save mothers time and money." "The most important tip is support from spouses, families, and at the work place," Wali said. Her advice for mothers that have issues with breastfeeding is to go to a breastfeeding councillor, or call a hotline that provides help for breastfeeding mothers.
