Breast milk:Milk from thebreast. Human milk contains abalanceof nutrients that closely matchesinfant要求braindevelopment, growth and ahealthyimmune system. Human milk also contains immunologic agents and other compounds that act againstviruses,bacteria, and parasites. Since an infant'simmunesystem is not fully developed until age 2, human milk provides a distinct advantage over formula.
Children who are breastfed enjoy lower rates of severalchronicchildhooddiseases, includingrespiratoryinfections and ear infections as well as diarrhea. Breastfed infants gain less weight and tend to be leaner at 1 year of age than formula-fed infants, resultinginfewer overweight and obese children.
Breastfeeding releases ahormonein a woman's body that causes heruterusto return to its normal size and shape more quickly and reducesbloodloss after delivery. In addition,breastfeedingfor longer periods of time (up to 2 years) and among younger mothers may possibly reduce the risks of breast andovariancancers.
