BENEFITS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING

Introduction
Public health organisations, including the 3Ps Health Initiative International recommend 6months of exclusive breastfeeding and continued until 2 years of age along with complementary foods for optimal growth, cognitive development and health. 
Although the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding are widely acknowledged, opinions and recommendations are strongly divided on the optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in different cultures and regions. This has led to many lactating women whether to practise exclusive breastfeeding or not. 

Reasons why some women do not breastfeed their baby
Lack of support: Many of our own mothers, friends, families and relatives used formula and they do not understand breastfeeding. They have little or no experience with nursing a child, so they cannot offer advice, guidance, or help. Partners and friends may not have enough information about breastfeeding to understand this choice.
Early return to work or school: It can be overwhelming to handle a new baby, family responsibilities, a home, and the additional stress of work or school. If the stress of breastfeeding is too much for a woman, she may decide not to breastfeed.
Attitudes of healthcare providers: If the mother's or the baby's health care provider does not support and understand breastfeeding, then problems will not be resolved and the mother will not be encouraged to continue to nurse.
Lack of help and resources: Many first time mothers do not have breastfeeding support once they leave the hospital. If these women are not given follow-up instructions and information on the breastfeeding resources available, they can easily give up on breastfeeding.
Health concerns: Certain health conditions can cause a low milk supply, or the breastfeeding mother might worry about the medications that she has to take and how it will affect her baby. It can be overwhelming and exhausting.
Personal issues: When thoughts of breastfeeding are embarrassing, uncomfortable, or shameful, it is more likely a woman will decide against breastfeeding. Embarrassment, body image issues, fear, and lack of confidence can all contribute to negative feelings about breastfeeding. 
Low breast milk supply: Only a small percentage of women who want to breastfeed can’t due to lactation failure or a true low breast milk supply. A true low milk supply is usually the result of an underlying condition.
Dependency on illegal drugs: The uses of illegal drugs do get into the breast milk and pass to the baby. When babies receive illicit drugs through breast milk, it can cause irritability, sleepiness, poor feeding, growth problems, neurological damage, and even death.
Medications: Certain prescription drugs can hurt the baby, and other medications can cause a decrease in the milk supply. Some of the medications that are not compatible with breastfeeding.
Infectious Disease: However, there are a few infectious diseases that can pass to a baby through breast milk and the risk of transmission outweighs the benefits of breastfeeding.

Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
For the baby
✓ Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants
✓ Increased survival
 ✓ Decreased morbidity and mortality
✓ Adequacy
✓ Improved growth parameters
✓ Reduced cardiac risk factors
✓ Breastfed infants grow exactly the way they should
✓ Breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests
✓ Breast milk tastes good to your child
✓ Breast milk is easy for your new-born to digest
✓ Breast milk is the healthiest food for the baby
For the mother
✓ It can prevent another pregnancy for up to 6 months
✓ It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size 
✓ It lessens any bleeding a woman may have after birth.
✓ It is easier, cheap, convenient, natural and comforting
✓ It delays the return of ovulation and menstrual cycles
✓ It lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause
✓ It gives baby immediate satisfaction by providing breast milk when the baby is hungry
✓ It saves time and money
✓ It helps in losing weight 
✓ Breastfeeding is relaxing
✓ It saves healthcare cost
✓ It is cheap and naturally free
Adeyemi Omoge, founder of 3Ps Health Initiative International, Nigeria, is a Public Health Specialist committed to improving healthcare access and literacy for underserved populations. He has led impactful campaigns on disease prevention, reproductive health, and maternal and child health, benefiting thousands. He holds an MBA in Hospital Administration (JSS Academy, India), an MPH in Epidemiology and Research (University of Nicosia, Cyprus), an MPH in Disaster Management (University of Oviedo, Spain), and an MBA in Project and Human Resources Management (Academy Europe, Germany), alongside a B.Sc. in Public Health (Adeleke University, Nigeria) and other public health certifications. Adeyemi has published over 15 research papers and is an active member of organisations such as the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (UK) and the World Federation Against Drugs (Sweden). He has earned awards like the ALMA Malaria Youth Ambassador Award and scholarships including Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth, and iLearn. Passionate about mentoring, capacity building, and public health, Adeyemi continues to inspire and contribute globally.

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