Breast Milk Nutrition Can Actually Reduce the Risk of Obesity and Diabetes as Adults

JAKARTA - Exclusive breastfeeding at the age of 0-24 months can actually reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes when children grow up. The antibodies contained in breast milk also help fight infections and infectious diseases.

"Breastfeeding contains antibodies, so it can help fight infections and prevent non-communicable diseases in adulthood, because the risk of obesity or diseases caused by obesity such as diabetes can decrease if you drink breast milk," said the Director General of Public Health (Dirjen Kesmas) of the Ministry of Health. Maria Endang Sumiwi quoted from ANTARA, Tuesday, August 15.

Maria explained, if the baby is not breastfed, it will increase the risk of infection and nutritional problems. "There is the most complete nutrition in breast milk, so if breast milk is not given, the baby is at risk of developing allergies and lactose intolerance," she said.

She also explained, there are several principles of infant and child feeding, especially at the age of the first 1,000 days of life (0-24 months), where the first principle is that every baby born must receive early initiation of breastfeeding, because this will determine the success of breastfeeding in the future.

"When born, the baby must be placed directly on the mother's chest, later the baby can look for the mother's nipple and can immediately develop a good sucking reflex. So, it needs to be placed on the mother's chest for at least an hour, because this is the first time the baby is suckling. This first experience greatly contributed to the success of exclusive breastfeeding," she said.

She emphasized that in the first six months, exclusive breastfeeding is very important, and babies don't need to be given other intakes, including water, because babies will be sufficient only with breast milk.

"Exclusive breastfeeding can be effective if it is given for up to six months, and you don't need to give anything else, nor do you need to be given plain water," she said.

"Why not given water or other intake? Because the baby will feel full, so they rarely breastfeeds. Their body has a feedback loop, if he is rarely breastfed, their needs are small, and their production is low. So we don't need to give other fluids besides breast milk," she continued.

She also explained, there are some mothers who feel worried because the milk does not come out. This is normal, because actually all mothers can produce breast milk according to their baby's needs.

“After giving birth, the mother's body is already preparing to be able to breastfeed. So the composition of hormones in the mother's body is actually ready for breastfeeding, and the baby can wait up to 48 hours, but it also needs to be determined by position, placement, and frequency," she said.

She also emphasized that the task of maintaining proper milk production cannot be carried out by a single mother, but also the family's duty to ensure that the quality of breast milk is maintained.

"This is not only the mother's job, but all of us to provide support, especially the role of the family at home is important to monitor the mother is not getting enough rest, whether the mother is in good psychological condition, it also affects milk production," said Maria Endang Sumiwi.