Embracing motherhood, after passing through a long journey of nine-months, is not easy. And we understand that, becoming a mother involves a lot of pain, compromises and sacrifices.

But, with your mewling little one in your arms, you feel like you’ve been rewarded after winning the huge pregnancy challenge.

Well! Now that you are a new mom to your new-born, all that you can ever think of is about your baby’s health and well-being.

Therefore, according to the experts’ advice and your doctor’s recommendation, breastmilk, is the most natural source of nutrient for your baby.

However, breastfeeding, which is the most natural method of feeding your baby, has seemingly endless benefits both for you and your baby.

Continue reading this engaging article, as we harp on the advantages of breastfeeding, for you and your baby, this breastfeeding week:

How is Your Baby Benefitted From Breastfeeding?

Healthcare professionals from the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months to 1 year or even longer than that. After all, breast milk is:

A Good Source of Nutrition

Secretion of a thick and yellowish fluid known as colostrum from your breast milk, after your baby’s birth turns out to be the ideal first milk for your baby. It fulfils the protein-requirement for the infant and helps in developing the new-born’s immature digestive tract. But, as the baby grows up, and you start producing more milk, it fills up the baby’s carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals requirements.

Boosts the Baby’s Immunity

The nutrient-dense colostrum, is also packed with immunoglobulin A (lgA) and several other antibodies, which helps the baby in combating against certain viruses and bacteria, harming his or her immunity. Going deeper, however, the immunoglobulin A (lgA) forms a protective layer in the baby’s nose, throat and digestive system, thus strengthening the immunity and preventing the baby from falling sick. In fact, many breastfed babies have very little ear infections and respiratory problems.

Helps the Baby in Gaining Healthy Weight

Studies have supported that; breastmilk is teeming with bacteria helps in colonising your infant’s gut and nourishes the baby’s microbiome. Nevertheless, breastfeeding the baby continuously for 4 months, and even after that, significantly reduces your baby’s chance of being overweight.

Makes the Baby Smart

Research has it that, due to physical touch, and eye contact while breastfeeding, your baby might seem to have long-term brain development, with no behavioural and learning problems.

But, it’s not just your baby, who’s enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding, you are equally benefitted.

How Are You Benefitted From Breastfeeding?

Through Breastfeeding, you can establish an emotional connection with your baby, immediately. Basically, nursing your baby releases oxytocin and prolactin hormones, thus sharing a sense of love and care with your baby. These oxytocin hormones, at same time, encourages uterine contraction and reduces uterine bleeding, after you’ve delivered your baby, thus returning it to its pre-pregnancy size.

Most importantly, breastfeeding lowers the risk of deadly diseases like breast and ovarian cancer and helps in burning those extra kilos, earned during pregnancy.

There’s no denying that being a new mother, breastfeeding your new-born is one of the most cherished moments of your life. With the physical and emotional benefits, breastfeeding becomes one of the best choices, unless you cannot do it due to certain health or medical condition.

The post Breastfeeding is Good Both For You and Your Baby – Know How? appeared first on Stem Cell Banking Guide and Pregnancy Tips For New Parents.

It has been almost over a year now that, the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) has taken the entire world by a storm. In fact, we have come across words like pandemic, lockdown and phrases like social distancing and new normal since 2020, while we have been waiting in baited anticipation for the announcement of the “vaccine” from the scientists.

Although the Covid-19 vaccine has been invented, and every single day we are learning about its safety and efficacy, however, this vaccine is not a proven solution for everyone. As a woman who’s trying for a baby or a pregnant woman or a new-mum is still not sure, whether to get vaccinated or not.

Is Covid -19 Vaccine Safe For Pregnant Women

Throughout the pregnancy journey a pregnant woman’s immune system remains compromised, and she is more prone to falling sick and contracting seasonal flus and viral infections. And due to her weak immunity, she can also be at the high risk of contracting Covid-19. So, she can get the Covid-19 vaccine along with the other vaccines either after observing the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (a crucial period for a baby development) or before she enters the third trimester or the last phase of her pregnancy. However, pregnant women should be extra cautious during third trimester, and maintain all covid-essential precaution, as the pregnancy complications are high, during this time.

Moreover, till now, 2 vaccines – the Pfizer and the AstraZeneca vaccines has received provisional approval from The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Although, these days, Pfizer is chosen over AstraZeneca vaccines, in case of non-pregnant women, yet at this moment it is difficult to say with assurance whether it is effective during pregnancy. 

Overall, since studies are still being conducted about the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy, a pregnant woman should take medical advice before getting vaccinated.  

Is the Covid -19 Vaccine Safe For Lactating Mothers

As far as breastfeeding mothers are concerned, there are no specific study, to prove that the Covid-19 vaccine will provide health to both the mother and the baby. But, she is recommended to get vaccinated, as there are no known risks associated with the vaccine. Once the breastfeeding mother is vaccinated, the vaccine not just acts as a protective shield particularly against the life-threatening Covid-19 for her, but works towards boosting the immunity of the breast-fed new-born, by passing on the immunity-enhancing antibodies from the mother to the baby.

What Should a Would-be-mother and Breastfeeding Mother Know About Covid -19 Vaccine?

If a would-be-mother is at the risk of contracting the virus from family members, being in-home state, she should keep checking the availability of the vaccine with her heath-practitioners and get vaccinated when she’s eligible. But, maintain covid-appropriate behaviour, till such time.

Breastfeeding mothers, on the other hand, might get an mRNA vaccine, as this vaccine doesn’t carry the components of Covid-19 to harm either the mother or the baby. As when the breastfeeding mother gets the vaccine, small particles of the vaccine are used so that it doesn’t reach the breasts. And even if it reaches, it gets absorbed or digested.

To Conclude

Since a tiny life is a matter of huge concern, it’s natural that both pregnant and breastfeeding mothers will have questions about the covid-19 vaccine. Till the perfect answers are ready, it’s necessary to behave appropriately with the deadly virus and continuously; learn about the efficacy, side effects, and potential risks every day.

The post Can Pregnant & Breastfeeding Mothers Get Covid-19 Vaccines? appeared first on Stem Cell Banking Guide and Pregnancy Tips For New Parents.