in Maternal & Child Nutrition, Gribble explains that that the immature immune systems of infants and toddlers leaves them vulnerable to diarrhea and respiratory tract infections. In low- and middle-income countries, babies who aren’t breastfed make up 72 percent of infant hospitalizations. In this context, “infants who are not breastfed are eight times more likely to die than their exclusively breastfed counterparts,” Gribble wrote.
Ismahulova read a text message from another mother pleading for help for her 1-year-old daughter. “She is ill for a week. Temperature is high all the time. Strong cough. Maybe somebody has some medicine, please! Antibiotics! The girl is dying!” Her social media feed “is full of such horrible texts,” said Ismahulova, who was interviewed while hiding in a closet, her dark-haired children beside her on mattresses, asleep.
This will ensure that the babies obtain colostrum, bolstering their immune systems and protecting against disease, especially if the moms give birth outside a sterile hospital setting. Postpartum breastfeeding also helps the mother as the oxytocin that is released causes uterine contractions, helping prevent excess bleeding, according to Gray. “It can save women’s lives” while keeping them “more calm. That’s really good for their mental health.