Being a new mom when you hold your mewling newborn in your arms, it gives you immense joy to think that, your nine months’ long wait has finally paid you off with wonderful fruit.
And, from the first day of your baby’s life, there are so many things about her that cross your mind – whether it is entering your house full of relatives with her or nursing her to sleep in her crib.
But out of everything else, one of your biggest concerns would be about her health. The reason being that your doctor has just recently informed you that, your baby, like a large number of other newborns, is particularly susceptible to different kinds of bacterial diseases and infection1.
Though there’s nothing much to worry about in this matter. As you like other new moms often forget that all bacteria are not that bad.
In fact, while showing you the breastfeeding techniques, after your delivery, your health care practitioner tells you that, breastmilk does not just give your baby her much-needed nutrients, but a strain of good bacteria or probiotics from breastmilk is also helpful for your new-born baby.
How?
Read on to find out
Breastmilk Has the “Probiotic” Factor
There are many probiotic bacteria that pass on from the mother to the baby, while the baby is still growing up inside the mother’s womb. And, at the time of delivery, the baby gets exposed to a large number of healthy bacteria as it passes by the vagina. The reason why the babies born vaginally seem to be healthier than most other babies. However, once the baby is born, the mother’s milk or breast milk is one of the main sources of probiotics for the baby.
In fact, probiotics, including Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, etc., present in mother’s milk helps in building a barrier in the gastrointestinal tract, helps in supporting the immune system of the baby, and also acts as a defensive mechanism in case of allergies, asthma, and other chronic diseases occurring in a child, from an early stage.
In this way
It Boosts the Baby’s Immune System
The mother’s immunity keeps the baby safe, while the baby is still growing in her womb. But, once the baby enters this world, she develops her own immune system. In fact, 70% of the immune system lies in the gut of the baby and the strength of the immune system depends largely on the healthy bacteria of the gut. So, after the baby’s birth, when the baby starts latching on the mother’s breast, the probiotics from the breastmilk works hand-in-hand with the already existing probiotics, thus rapidly boosting the immune system.
It Improves The Baby’s Digestion
Since the digestive system is not fully developed in newborn babies, constipation becomes a common problem in them. Signs of acid reflux are also not uncommon, making them irritable and cranky. But consuming breastmilk can help in easing this condition in them. The presence of probiotics in breastmilk, smoothens the process of digestion in the babies, by not allowing the food to stay in the stomach for a longer period of time and by reducing the chances of acid reflux in the babies.
Not just that!
When babies with chronic constipation have breastmilk, the probiotics in the milk help in streamlining the bowel movements and improves the consistency of the baby’s poop.
It Prevents Skin Diseases in Babies
Eczema and skin rashes (diaper rashes) are commonly seen in newborn babies with itchiness and inflammation. Intake of mother’s milk, (with the probiotics present in it) has anti-inflammatory properties in it. In fact, there are higher chances of its combating with the baby skin rashes and eczema, and prevents them from occurring at least a few years earlier in the baby’s life.
As far as the diaper rashers are concerned, which occurs due to the yeast infection in the digestive tract of the baby, some probiotics, from the mother’s milk, like lactobacillus acidophilus, works directly on the yeast infection in the baby’s gut and slows down its growth.
It Helps The Colicky Babies
A large number of newborns are seen to be colicky. This condition usually occurs in breastfeeding babies, especially when they are unable to take the insufficient amount of air while breastfeeding. Although it tends to disappear within 24 to 34 weeks, with a little help from healthy bacteria in the form of probiotics from breastmilk, the time that the baby indulges in crying out of colic pain reduces gradually.
To Conclude
Now that you are aware of the benefits of probiotics in your baby, keep breastfeeding your baby for at least the first 6 months of her life (with your doctor’s advice) and reap the benefits. Probiotics after all help in the physical as well mental development of your baby. And as your baby grows up, you can include curd, buttermilk, soft cheese, pickles, and dark chocolates in your baby’s diet. These being a good source of probiotics will help in the rapid growth of your baby’s health and life.
Author Bio: Prapti Chauhan is a professor of Genetics in Bangalore. She has contributed to several online research papers. However, she passionately develops content on pregnancy, childbirth, and benefits of cord blood banking and umbilical cord lining, and more.
