【Dr. Karen Chan - World Breastfeeding Week 2020】 Thursday, August 06, 2020

Why Breast milk is the best gift for every baby

Breast milk builds your baby’s immune system by providing natural antibodies, antimicrobial properties, and protective enzymes [1]. It also provides the right amount of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats needed for your baby’s healthy development [7].

Breastfeeding provides all kinds of health benefits

Infants who are breastfed revealed fewer and shorter infections [1], show different growth patterns [1], have different gut microflora [2], experience better cognitive development [3] and even face differences in the risk of chronic diseases, such as obesity [4], Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes [5] and cardiovascular disease [6].

Support breastfeeding mothers around the world

The World Health Organization recommends children to be breastfed in the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life [8].

Supporting breastfeeding mothers in Hong Kong during this period: https://www.babyfriendly.org.hk/en/breastfeeding-hotline-and-support-groups/

« World Health Organization » 2020 - World Breast Feeding Week Message: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/31-07-2020-world-breastfeeding-week-2020-message

References:

1.Lönnerdal, B., et al. (2017). Longitudinal evolution of true protein, amino acids and bioactive proteins in breast milk: a developmental perspective. J Nutr Biochem. 41:1-11.
2.Isolauri, E. (2012).
Development of healthy gut microbiota early in life.
J Paediatr Child Health, 48 (Suppl. 3), pp. 1-6.
3.Anderson,J.W., Johnstone, B.M., &Remley, D.T.(1999).
Breast-feeding and cognitive development: a meta-analysis.
Am J Clin Nutr, 70 (4), pp. 525-535
4.Owen, C.G., Martin, R.M., Whincup, P.H., Smith, G.D., Cook, D.G. (2005). Effect of infant feeding on the risk of obesity across the life course: a quantitative review of published evidence. Pediatrics, 115, pp. 1367-1377.
5.Knip, M., Virtanen, S.M., & Åkerblom, H.K. (2010). Infant feeding and the risk of type 1 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr, 91, pp. 1506S-1513S.
6.Owen, C.G., Whincup, P.H., & Cook, D.G. Breast-feeding and cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes in later life: evidence from epidemiological studies. Proc Nutr Soc, 70 (2011), pp. 478-484.
7.Barham-Floreani, J. (2009). Welladjusted Babies. McPherson’s Printing Group.
8. WHO | Exclusive breastfeeding for six months best for babies everywhere: https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2011/breastfeeding_20110115/en/