Breastfed Babies Have Lower Blood Pressure, and Their Hearts are Healthier

In a new study conducted in the USA, it was determined that breastfed babies have a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke in later life than babies who do not receive breast milk. Pointing out that the benefits of breast milk are endless, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Pediatric Health and Diseases, Newborn Specialist Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar said that breast milk, which is called "colostrum", which starts to be secreted right after birth and lasts for four to five days, is a very useful, rich and protective miraculous food source in every sense.

In the study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), which analyzed data from more than 2.000 children to determine the relationship between breastfeeding and blood pressure-heart health, babies who were breastfed for even a few days had blood compared to babies who were not breastfed at 3 years of age. pressure was lower. Saying that colostrum, known as the first milk, is a natural antibiotic, rich in stem cells and growth factors, and containing compounds that affect healthy growth and microbiome, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Pediatrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar, "With the immunoglobulin A, G, E, D and E in its content, it protects the baby from all kinds of microbes and viruses, and also affects the vascular endothelium, creating positive effects on blood pressure and heart health."

Stating that this research is very valuable, Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar pointed out that many studies have been carried out in recent years on the benefits of breastfeeding and stated that breast milk makes the person healthier and more resistant to diseases in advanced ages. prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar added that breast milk protects the baby from infectious diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis media, diarrhea, urinary tract infections and meningitis during infancy by improving the baby's immune system.

It Also Has Positive Effects on Obesity and Intelligence

Informing that these studies have shown that feeding babies with breast milk has a significant effect on their intelligence development, Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar continued her words as follows: "Feeding babies with breast milk for the first 6 months and adding complementary foods after 6 months should continue breastfeeding until the age of 2 years. The water, fat, sugar and protein ratios, vitamins and minerals in breast milk fully nourish the baby. Babies who are breastfed also have higher intelligence rates. However, thanks to the meta-analysis that interprets all studies on breast milk under a single roof, it has also been determined that breastfed babies have a lower risk of overweight and obesity in later ages.

Breastfeeding is Also Beneficial for the Mother

Breastfeeding enables the mother to secrete a hormone called "oxytocin". Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Pediatrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Filiz Bakar said that oxytocin, apart from uterine contractions and milk secretion, also directs maternal instinctive behaviors, and ensures mother-infant bonding and establishing a strong relationship. Dr. Filiz Bakar said, “Oxytocin also prevents the accumulation of carcinogens in the breast. It prevents normal breast cells from turning into cancer cells, thereby significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer in the nursing mother. Since oxytocin hormone also provides uterine regeneration, it accelerates the return of the uterus to its prenatal state. The rapid return of the uterus to its former state provides a reduction in puerperal bleeding.

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