“we hope this invaluable new insight will lead to an increase in rates of breastfeeding and will see more babies benefit from the advantages of receiving breastmilk,” says toldi.
approximately
90 per cent of canadian mothers breastfed as of 2015 and 2016 opposed to 25 per cent in 1965. however, mothers have been giving up breastfeeding significantly sooner for various reasons such as a shortage of milk supply and struggling with breastfeeding techniques. almost 25 per cent of women stop breastfeeding by the time the infant is one month.
according
to the
world health organization
(who), “nearly two out of three infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended sic months — a rate that has not improved for two decades.”
the who emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding infants because of the positive life outcomes such as better performance on intelligence tests, the reduced likelihood of
obesity and having a decreased risk of having
diabetes.
“breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. it is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses,” the who states on its website.
the study results are a further indication of the importance of breastfeeding. “prior to our research the outstanding importance and the early involvement of this specific cell type in breastfed babies was unknown,” says toldi.