1. Nature’s gift: Breast milk is the nature’s way of nourishing a child and what is natural cannot be wrong. Infant formulas have come into vogue recently, while breast milk exists from the very beginning of human race. When there were no infant formulas, all mothers used to breast-feed without giving it a second thought, but now with the presence of milk tins, the mother’s motivation to breast feed has decreased.
2. It is free: Cost of breast milk is zero. If you exclusively breast-feed, you will save about Rs. 10,000/- per year (as the cost towards milk tins). If nothing else, save it and make a fixed deposit of it in your child’s name!
3. Sterile and hygienic: A child who is exclusively breast-fed usually does not have infective diarrhoea, which speaks volumes of its hygienic and sterile nature. Bottle-fed infants are prone to have diarrhoea, unless the protocol for sterility is strictly maintained, which practically, is very difficult to maintain feed after feed and day after day.
4. Ready made: It is a pre-prepared ready to use food, available at the spur of the moment. Just ask those who go through all the trouble of sterilising bottles, boiling water, preparing the infant formula etc; and you will realise how much time, energy and headache you save for yourself.
5. Anti-infective properties: Breast milk contains certain protective elements like immunoglobulin, cells etc., which help the body in protecting against infections. Thus, breast-fed infants fall sick less often than others do.
6. Emotional bonding: It is, arguably, the biggest advantage of breast-feeding. The neonate, such a delicate creature, like all human beings, has the innate desire to be loved and caressed. It derives much mental satisfaction out of it and blossoms better. The mother and child get deeply attached to each other via the medium of breast-feeding giving immense psychological satisfaction to both.