How Important is the Role of Breast Milk for Babies?

Every parent want to have a healthy and intelligent child. All the resources and effort will be done by them for that purpose is achieved. Starting from the often to listen classical music, take some vitamins, do routine sport, and give formula milk that contains of AA and DHA which are believed to increase the intelligence of child. Not many people know that there are an easy and inexpensive ways for healthy and intelligent child. Dr. Utami Roesli, Sp.A, MBA, IBCLC, Leader of the Indonesian Lactation Center said, "Exclusive breastfeeding can increase the health and intelligence of children." Many mothers in Indonesia dont give their breast for their babies. Whereas with breastfeeding, health and intelligence of the baby was assured. Not only that, his mother would get one benefit that is becoming more rare breast cancer. There are 2 factors that can affect the intelligence, genetic and environmental factors. According to dr. Bernard Devlin from Medicine Faculty of Pittsburgh University, United States, estimates that genetic factors only influent arround 48% in shaping the child's IQ. So, the enviromental factors more influent than genetic factors because its have a bigger role than genetics. Environmental factors consist of providing the need for physical growth, providing stimulation or education, and providing psychosocial needs. For the development of health and children's intelligence are not disturbed, parents must to maintain the nutritions. This is important for growth and development of children, especially the childrens brain. "Exclusive breastfeeding is the best nutrition in the quality and quantity of brain growth from 0-6 months", said Dr. Utami Roesli, Sp.A. Breast milk contains nutrients that have a specific function for the growth of the brain such as long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (DHA and AA) for growth of the brain and retina, cholesterol to myelinisasi nerve tissue, taurine to neurontransmitter inhibitors and membrane stabilizers, lactose to the growth of the brain, and coline to improve memory. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months not only good for brain development but also good for preparing baby's digestive system because at the time of birth, the baby's digestive enzymes are still incomplete and can only be used to digest milk. Breast milk contains more than 100 kinds of enzymes that help the absorption of nutrients contained in breast milk. The process of breastfeeding is not only feeding but also educate and provide psychosocial needs.

Breastfeeding process is educational stimulation for children because there are eye contact, talk to, hugged, caressed and stroked by the mother. In the first year of life, babies are very susceptible to disease. It makes babies need extra protection from his/her mother. Breast milk contains white blood cells and a number of anti-infective factors to protect babies from infection. Breast milk also contains antibodies that against various infections that the mother had ever known before. So, breast milk is very important, not only for the babies but also for babiess mother.

Created By: Shafrina Agustia 1011121515 PSIK-UR A10