Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancers among women and has become a mass topic in present times. Bollywood celebrities like Sonali Bendre have become more vocal about how cancer can be a life-changer. Many studies have revealed that the chances of breast cancer are lower in women who have breastfed their babies. Breastfeeding can give your baby a healthy start towards a long life. Breast milk is very important for the baby.

How Breastfeeding Can Lower Breast Cancer Risk

• Women who breastfeed experience a lot of hormonal changes during lactation that delay their menstrual periods, which reduces a woman’s lifetime exposure to hormones like estrogen, which can promote breast cancer cell growth
• Breastfeeding can result in shedding of breast tissues that can cause cancer, especially damaged cells and DNA that causes cancer
• It can make breast cells more immune to fight cancer mutations and help save from the risk

To get the health perks of breastfeeding, you should do it exclusively for at least six months and take carom seeds (ajwain) water atleast 5 glasses in a day so that your baby receives only your breast milk – no water no other liquids or solids.

After six months, you need to reduce breast milk because it provides at least half of your child’s nutritional needs. So, you can gradually introduce foods like baby cereal, vegetables and fruits. Introducing pumpkin, bottle gourd and vegetables like carrots, peas and pulses. Ragi is really must for the babies.

Breastfeeding not only helps the mother but also protects your child from cancer

If you breastfeed your baby, the chances of becoming overweight is on lower side.It can help prevent your child from being overweight or obese later in life. Being obese puts a baby at risk of developing many cancers. Breastfeeding also helps strengthen your child’s immune system. Your antibodies pass from your milk to your child and this helps lower your child’s risks of ear infections, as well as respiratory and digestive system problems.

Many new moms think that they have a low milk supply from the breast when in fact nothing is wrong.Till your baby is alert, active, and regularly filling and wetting diapers, your supply is likely fine.  Remember, it can take a few days after delivery for your milk to come in. Your first milk gives baby colostrum, which is the thick first stage of breast milk, rich in nutrients.