Join leading medical insurance providers, Affinity Health, in celebrating the benefits of breastfeeding this World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-7.

What are the Benefits of Breastfeeding?

Affinity Health affirms that breastfeeding is the gold standard of infant nutrition. It offers numerous advantages for women and children in every country. It saves lives, improves child health, and protects mothers from ovarian and breast cancer mortality.

While moms have been breastfeeding for generations, we are just now beginning to appreciate the importance of breastfeeding for health and development.

“Breast milk is the best source of nutrients for infants. It provides an ideal balance of vitamins, protein, and fat, giving your baby everything they need to thrive. And it’s all in a form that’s easier to digest than infant formula,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.

Antibodies in breast milk assist your infant in fighting viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding reduces your child’s chances of developing asthma or allergies. Furthermore, the World Health Organisation states that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months have fewer ear infections, respiratory ailments, and diarrhoea episodes.

Breastfeeding has been related in several studies to higher IQ scores in later life. Furthermore, physical proximity, skin-to-skin contact, and eye contact all aid your baby’s bonding and sense of security, as per NCBI.

Breastfed babies are more likely to gain the appropriate weight as they develop instead of becoming overweight children. CDC states that breastfeeding can also help prevent SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), diabetes, obesity, and certain malignancies.

There are also numerous benefits for nursing mothers, too. Breastfeeding can aid mothers by burning calories and reducing the uterus, helping them return to their pre-pregnancy shape and weight faster.

In addition, it lowers the risk of breast cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in mothers. It also saves you time and money otherwise spent on buying bottles and formula. And, best of all, allows you to spend quality time with your infant while bonding, according to WebMD.

What Support is Available for Breastfeeding Mothers?

As an Affinity Health member, you are eligible for maternity benefits if you are enrolled in either the Affinity Health Hospital plan or the Affinity Health Combined plan and become pregnant after three months of coverage.

For an extra cost, members can use The Birthing Team, a professional group of maternity specialists who will add the baby to their Maternity Benefit. The Birthing Team provides a comprehensive maternity programme to members residing in Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria and Polokwane. Support includes everything from pregnancy to delivery and up to six weeks of postpartum care, as well as breastfeeding support.

In addition, ongoing telephonic consultations are available where a medical professional can answer any questions regarding your baby’s nutritional needs and growth needs.

About Affinity Health

Affinity Health aims to provide premier quality, affordable medical insurance to South Africans. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service when they are faced with injury or illness. We work to deliver innovative solutions that are simple, cost-effective, and proven, so our cover is structured to ensure that you get exactly what you need. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn