A nutritionist, Uju Onuorah, says breastfed babies have a lower risk of type one diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity later in life.

In an interview on Sunday in Abuja, Ms Onuorah said besides the fact that for newborns, breast milk is the best source of nutrients, breastfeeding also has advantages that continue into maturity.

She also said that breastfeeding has short- and long-term preventive effects against multiple respiratory and gastrointestinal acute illnesses.

“Breast milk contains antibodies, which help protect the infant against many common childhood illnesses.

“In the long term, breastfed children, especially exclusively breastfed infants, have been found to have a lower risk of developing obesity, type one diabetes and cardiovascular diseases later in life.

“The nutrients in breastmilk can fully satisfy a baby’s nutritional demands for the first six months, and after that point, it is advised that the mother continue breastfeeding for another two years while also providing the child with complementary foods.

“Both stomach and ear infections are prevented by it, and numerous studies have demonstrated that there is a decreased risk of asthma, obesity, type one diabetes, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS),” said the expert.

Speaking about the hormones contained in human breast milk, the nutritionist said that they include leptin, adiponectin, Insulin Growth Factor (IGF-1), ghrelin, obestatin, and resistin.

She said these hormones were believed to contribute to various aspects of infant growth, development, metabolism and overall health outcomes in the long run.

Ms Onuorah, however, said that the health benefits of breastfeeding were more pronounced when the mother exclusively breastfeeds her child for six months.

She, therefore, advised mothers to follow the World Health Organization’s recommendation to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months and for up to two or three years in addition to other nutritious foods.

However, she said breastfeeding mothers have major health benefits because they are less likely to acquire certain diseases, including ovarian and breast cancer, type two diabetes and high blood pressure.

She also explained that for certain mothers, breastfeeding might facilitate quick weight loss following delivery, adding that it even costs almost nothing to breastfeed compared to the cost of instant formula.

(NAN)