Breastfeeding, the first vaccine every child should receive

Breastfeeding should be the first vaccination of every child because it provides immediate immune protection and saves the infant from many diseases because it contains enzymes, proteins and hormones unique to breastmilk.

According to the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) and the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), immediate breastfeeding from the first hour of birth is irreplaceable. In addition, every child should benefit from exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and complementary breastfeeding after.

“Breastmilk strengthens the immunity of the child’s body and significantly reduces the risk of getting sick. That is why breastmilk is considered the first vaccine for a child. A well-breastfed baby in the first six months of life has a very low risk of developing various diseases.” said Faustin Machara of the NCDA

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for the child. It is also beneficial for the mother. It is one of the best investments in the health, growth and survival of children and women. Optimal breastfeeding could potentially prevent nearly 100,000 maternal deaths from cancer and type II diabetes each year.

For every 1,000 non-breastfed babies compared to exclusively breastfed babies, there are 2,033 additional medical visits, 212 hospital days and 609 prescriptions.

Breastfeeding covers ½ or more of the nutritional needs in the first year and up to 1/3 in the second year.

A well-breastfed child would have less risk of ear infections, less risk of respiratory infections, less risk of gastrointestinal disorders and a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Breastfeeding also improves child growth and development, reduces the risk of obesity, improves IQ, reduces the risk of childhood cancer, including leukemia, and reduces the risk of type I and type II diabetes.

Ideally, breastfeeding should last at least two years, although there is no age limit for having breastmilk.

Breastmilk, a living miracle

It is said and proven that even for a malnourished mother, her breastmilk would benefit her baby and meet all his needs. This would mean that God made breastmilk a miracle so that any mother can breastfeed her baby, regardless of her condition.

For those unfortunate babies whose mothers died during childbirth, it was proven that any woman could breastfeed them.

“All women have breastmilk, except those with health problems. All they have to do is avoid stress, eat plenty of food and breastfeed their baby.” Said Justin Ntaganda, Nutrition Technical Advisor in Maternal, Child and Community Health Division at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).