YOU rarely think of the lesser known benefits you are offering your baby when you breastfeed because you initiate it in good faith. That is the best decision you have made but don’t give up on it sooner than six months, and keep at it after that.
By continued breastfeeding beyond six months, you may lower risks of childhood leukaemias, and lifelong risks of heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. You are protected from cancers of the breast, ovaries and uterus.
Why is continued breastfeeding so important for your child now?
We are not entirely certain of how long Covid-19 survives in the body or its impact to long-term health. We can’t be certain whether this virus will remain a health threat long after this pandemic. Children are among the unseen carriers in the community transmission chain. We don’t know the long-term effects of that either.
There are different patterns of illnesses in children. For example, a Kawasaki-like complication, with inflammation involving many organs, has been noted. We are not sure of its impact to health or to long-term survival.
We know that viruses can cause long-term problems to the body. Through infections, inflammation, toxins, reduced antioxidants, immune system weaknesses and unknown causes. They can also cause cancers.
Since many women may be going back to work now with the movement-control order lifted, it is necessary to emphasise how crucial it is to sustain the motivation to continue breastfeeding.
Statistics show breastfeeding reduces some cancer risks
Although some studies may not show convincing evidence of breast milk cancer protection, many show that continued breastfeeding is useful.
Published in Jama, 17 studies on breastfeeding and childhood leukaemia, the most common type of childhood cancer, showed that breastfeeding for six months or longer was associated with a 20% lower risk compared to those breastfed for a lesser amount of time or not at all.
A study in China indicates that breastfeeding reduced the risk of childhood leukaemia when it continued for between seven and nine months. Another study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed that breastfeeding reduced acute leukaemia risk with greater protection associated with increased breastfeeding duration.
A study by the Childhood Leukaemia International Consortium with enrolment over 30 years showed prolonged breastfeeding was associated with a decreased risk of acute leukaemia.
Other than leukaemias, breastfeeding may also reduce a few other cancer types in children.
Effects of not being breastfed showed greater infections, long-term diseases and leukaemias.
Protection of infections could reduce cancers
Breastfeeding can prevent viruses from entering into cells. When repeated infections occur, viruses can take over control of cells and trigger cancer changes. When breastfeeding is continued for at least six months and longer, there is greater chance for such cancer causing effects to be reduced.
Antibodies against the SARS virus have been found in breast milk and there is recent evidence of antibodies against Covid-19 in breastmilk following recovery from the virus. Such antibodies in milk could protect against the virus, and like vaccines, provide specific protection.
Sustained breastfeeding benefits can add up
A single substance in breast milk can protect in different ways.
Lactoferrin protects from different microbes causing disease. As an antioxidant, it protects cells from damage by environmental pollution and nutritional deficiencies, avoided by exclusive breastfeeding, followed by continued breastfeeding and balanced diets. Lactoferrin can also selectively kill cancer cells. Continued breastfeeding allows time for all these effects to add up and work together to protect from cancers.
Milk fat globules in breast milk and mucins prevent dangerous infections that weaken immunity. Sustained breastfeeding will not only help combat infections but will strengthen immunity, so important for cancer protection.
The link between the mother’s gut and breast milk provides babies with beneficial microbes. With continued breastfeeding these useful microbes can prevent cancers.
HAMLET (a protein complex), formed in baby’s stomach, destroys cancer cells without affecting healthy cells, and colostral (a thin milky secretion from the nipples that precedes and follows true lactation) TRAIL proteins fight off cancer cells. Such cancer “scrutiny”, with continued breastfeeding, can be very effective.
Novel patterns of diseases and the long-term health impact of Covid-19 are challenging. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding of up to two years will support and empower health. – May 20, 2020.
* Dr Prameela Kannan Kutty is a paediatrics professor at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia.
* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.
Comments
And so romantic too!!!!
;-))
Posted 3 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by DIVYASREE NAIR CHANDRAMOHAN · Reply
In conjunction with the recent Mothers day i would like to thank all mothers for their selflessness and sacrifices in bringing up to what we are today
Posted 3 years ago by Eugene Hew · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by Hari Krishna Rau Subbarao · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by SETEVENRAJ PARANJOTHY · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by Ruth Ting · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by Teo Meisy · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by Siti Hajar · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by Thecican Mathivanan · Reply
It is nice to see a reflection of appreciation for the effort with which this article was produced and the author who was responsible for it save what is written by some (or one) individual who is so frivolous to the point of irreverence, showing a dire wealth of folly and lack of sense that is common.
Posted 3 years ago by Chris Fraser · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by Aswinkumar Gunasekaran · Reply
Breastfeeding is encouraged for up to 2 years with weaning from 6 months onwards.
Most healthcare professionals know that breastmilk has the adequate ideal nutrition, contains antibodies, reduces so many other health complications and risks, promotes a better bond between mother and child, makes the child smarter and also has many benefits to mother herself such as reduces depression, decreases breast cancer risks, etc. All these important information and facts should be advocated to new mothers and public.
Some mothers are reluctant to breastfeed after 4-5 months. Sometimes they do not have or know the proper technique and practice which therefore, they couldn't breastfeed for a long time. New mothers should reach out to healthcare professionals for proper guidance on breastfeeding especially after delivering their child. There are many breastfeeding friendly-hospitals with trained professionals out there as well.
The public should stop seeing as breastfeeding as a weird sight or whatsoever. Every mother has the rights to breastfeed their child at anywhere, anytime. Public should protect them at any costs. Recently there were articles condemning mother breastfeeding their child out there which reflects how poor one's mentality is.
Great article that definitely must be shared around. The COVID-19 complications are still under studies and sometimes poorly understood. Public should not play the fool as our cases are in dropping trend. In fact, they should adhere strictly to the recommended public health measures by the Ministry of Health.
Posted 3 years ago by Leeynesh Sooriyapiragasam · Reply
Posted 3 years ago by Samuel Ting · Reply