How breastfeeding impacts baby weight?

Table of contents

• Components of breast milk

• Who should be given breast milk?

• Benefits of breastfeeding

• Difference noticed in the growth patterns between breastfed and formula-fed babies

• Important points to consider-Breastfeeding Impacts Baby Weight

• What to do if you are concerned about your baby's weight?

• Take home points 

• FAQs on Breastfeeding

Introduction 

Infancy is one of the most crucial phases in every child's life. In fact, infancy is the most effective time to improve health outcomes in later life. You must have heard, that breast milk is the only best source of nutrition for infants. This is indeed true! 

Breastmilk is a nutrient-dense food that evolved over millions of years to meet the nutritional needs of infants. Breast milk contains complex proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, as well as biologically active compounds like immunoglobulins. Breastfeeding infants is one of the most important care processes for improving survival, developmental, and health outcomes.

But with all this happening, the question arises if breastfeeding affects a baby's weight. So read ahead to know how breastfeeding impacts a baby's weight and why it is important. 

Components of breast milk

Human breast milk is a vital source of nutrition for the survival of infants and is necessary for the growth and development of the newborn. There isn't a perfect alternative to human breast milk, despite the fact that numerous baby formulae share many of its components.

It contains about : 

1. 87%–88% water

2. 124- g/L solid components as macronutrients, including about-

   • 7% (60–70 g/L) carbohydrates

   • 1% (8–10 g/L) protein

   • 3.8% (35–40 g/L) fat.

The composition may vary depending on the environmental factors, including maternal diet.

Colostrum, which is low in fat but high in protein and relatively rich in immune-protective components, is produced in the early few days after childbirth and is very important for the child as it provides immunity to the baby. 

Who should be given breast milk?

Breast milk is usually said to be the ideal food for human infants, particularly in the first 6 months of life.  This is due to its unique composition of nutrients, antibodies, and other beneficial factors that support optimal growth, development, and immunity. Breast milk is the only food for infants up to 6 months of age. After that slowly gradually formula foods and other food items are introduced. After that breastfeeding can be continued for some time before completely shifting to adult nutrition.

Benefits of breastfeeding

Here are the benefits of breastfeeding: 

1. Breastfeeding is referred to as liquid gold quite often, given its essential constituents that satisfy the developmental needs of the baby and the nutrients present in it that provide optimum growth and protection to the baby. Moreover, breast milk can easily be digested without harming the delicate digestive system of the baby.

2. Breastfed babies are able to gain weight at a gradual pace given that all the essential elements required for the growth and development of the baby are provided at an ideal balance so the baby can easily self-regulate the intake of breastmilk according to their hunger and nutritional needs.

3. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of developing childhood obesity as they have a natural ability to apprehend hunger and fullness which in turn can prevent overfeeding which in turn leads to obesity.

4. Breast Milk contains various hormones that play a crucial role in appetite and metabolism regulation. Breast Milk contains a hormone, leptin, that controls hunger and satiety cues and thus promotes healthy eating patterns. Therefore, hormonal regulation thus plays a role in preventing excessive weight gain in babies. 

5. Certain studies suggest that not only a baby's weight but the individual's body is also protected against certain diseases in the long term if they were well breastfed during their infancy. Infants that are breastfed properly can be protected against certain chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, obesity, etc. 

Difference noticed in the growth patterns between breastfed and formula-fed babies

Well, there is a significant difference between the growth and development rate of breastfed and formula-fed babies.

• For one, breastfed babies gain weight slower than formula-fed babies. This is because breast milk has an optimum amount of nutrients which are supplied at a steady rate and babies feeding on it develop a manner of self-regulation where they recognize hunger and fullness and are fully able to comprehend the nutritional needs of the body. However, formula-fed babies are provided all the nutrients at one time instead of at a gradual and steady rate like breast milk.

• Breastfed babies have a better amount of lean muscle mass in comparison to formula-fed babies and tend to have more muscle mass instead of fat mass ( which is also regulated to a proper amount ), and thus overall have better body composition.

• Breast milk has a good amount of pro- and pre-biotics which in turn promotes the cultivation of gut microbiomes that, in turn, affect nutrient absorption and play a distinct role in weight regulation.

Important points to consider-Breastfeeding Impacts Baby Weight

There are quite a many points one must consider while taking care of the nutritional needs, growth, and development of a baby:

• Every baby grows and develops at their own pace, therefore, one has to consider booking an appointment with a certified pediatrician before making any decisions based on their own hypothesis.

• Breastfeeding the baby for protection against obesity actually depends more on the amount of which the baby is exclusively breastfed.

• Only breastfeeding is not a good option after a certain age. In fact, after the age of 6 months, a baby has to be fed the optimum amount, quality, and type of solid foods alongside breastfeeding. This would ensure the provision of proper nutritional supply to the baby under evolving needs.

What to do if you are concerned about your baby's weight?

If you are concerned about your baby's weight gain then you must:

• Consult a certified pediatric or healthcare professional, who will address your concerns, monitor the growth charts, carry out a checkup on your infant, and provide optimum guidance.

• You may also seek help from a lactation consultant if there might arise any problems with breastfeeding, who will provide guidance on milk transfer and proper feeding practices.

• Lastly, being a parent you have to monitor the hunger cues and feeding patterns of your baby, as responsive feeding promotes healthy weight gain. 

Take home points 

So, now you must know how important your breast milk is to your baby. It is always advised that you give your baby only breast milk until the age of 6 months. In fact, even water should be avoided as it can have a fatal effect on your baby. Before you start breastfeeding, you must talk to your child's pediatrician to learn the right way of feeding your baby.