11 Facts About Probiotics Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to feed your baby, but if you are breastfeeding and have not been taking a probiotic supplement, you may be missing out on some important health benefits.

Probiotics breastfeeding ensures your child benefits from the natural transference from the mother’s milk and they gain the untold number of benefits that the probiotics within the human milk contain.

The World Health Organization recommends that all infants receive breast milk for their first six months of life. Infants who are exclusively formula-fed do not get the same protection against infections and allergies as those who are breastfed.

Taking a probiotic while breastfeeding can help boost your immune system, improve digestion and also reduce symptoms like bloating or constipation that often come with lactation.

Facts about breast milk and probiotics breastfeeding

In this blog, we look at some of the well-known or unknown facts surrounding taking probiotics when breastfeeding:

#One

Multiple probiotic strains: For babies, human milk is a natural source of probiotics. Human milk contains 700 distinct species of bacteria, including probiotic strains like Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Bifidobacterium, according to research. [1]

#Two

Transfer of probiotic goodness: The probiotic content of breast milk can be affected by a mother’s use of probiotic supplements. They do not, however, transfer directly to a newborn through breast milk. [2]

#Three

Stronger immune system: Human milk contains maternal antibodies that are passed down from mother to child, as well as substances that weaken or kill harmful bacteria, compounds that aid in antibody production, and factors that support the growth of friendly bacteria in the infant’s gut. [3]

#Four

Good bacteria: Live bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most commonly utilised probiotics. However, some fungus strains, such as Saccharomyces boulardi, a species of yeast, are also a probiotic. [4]

#Five

Optimal nutrition: Human milk contains all of the nutrients that a newborn needs in the right amounts. Over the course of the meal, the day, and even the infant’s lifetime, the nutrient content varies to fit the baby’s demands. [5]

#Six

Lower risk of obesity: For every month a newborn is breastfed up to 9 months of age, the risk of obesity in the child is lowered by 4%. This benefit may last into the infant’s teenage and adult years. [6]

#Seven

Reduced risk of allergies: During the early days of breastfeeding, human milk contains colostrum, which helps protect the infant’s gut from potential allergens and foreign bodies that contribute to allergies. Plus exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months reduces exposure to potential food allergens. [7]

#Eight

Helps brain development: Studies suggest that breastfeeding is linked with cognitive development. The effects appear to be strongest with exclusive and prolonged breastfeeding. [8]

#Nine

Decreased risk of SIDS: Several studies suggest that exclusive or partial breastfeeding reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Infants who are breastfed may have up to 60% less chance of dying from SIDS than infants who are not breastfed. [9]

#Ten

Lower risk of diabetes: In comparison to formula-fed infants, breastfed infants tend to have a lower risk for developing both type 1 and 2 diabetes later in life, especially those infants at higher risk of developing the disease. [10]

#Eleven

Protects against heart disease: Several studies suggest a protective effect of breastfeeding on certain cardiovascular risk factors, such as atherosclerosis, blood pressure, and cholesterol profile, along with other cardiovascular risk factors. [11]

In conclusion

Babies that have been breastfed appear to have the best start in life when it comes to intelligence and overall health conditions.

With several studies having been undertaken there is a significant amount of data to show that breastfeeding is far better than formula-fed alternatives.

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