Extended breastfeeding is not only beneficial to babies and nursing mothers but also to adults as it lowers the risk of many illnesses later on in adulthood.

Deputy Director, Nursing Services, Children Specialist Hospital, Igboro, Ilorin, Mrs Titilayo Ajayi told Daily Trust Health Desk that the superiority of breast milk in-terms of nutrition and prevention supersedes drugs.

She said extended breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine, ovarian and breast cancers, and breastfeeding women also have a lower incidence of osteoporosis later in life.

The expert said nursing mothers should find breast-feeding a pleasant and rewarding experience adding that it is very important for nursing mothers to be wary of what they consume, saying that balanced diet is necessary for positive results in the baby.

She said: "The longer and more frequently a mom nurses her baby, the smarter her child is likely to become. The brain grows more during the first two years of life than any other time, nearly tripling in size from birth to two years. It is clearly a crucial time for brain development, and the intellectual advantage breastfed babies enjoy is attributed to the "smart fats" unique to mom's breast milk (namely, omega-3 fatty acid, also known as DHA). From head to toe, babies who are breastfed for extended periods of time are healthier overall and they tend to have leaner bodies with less risk of obesity."

She said they also have improved vision, since the eye is similar to the brain in respect to nervous tissue. In addition, they have better hearing due to a lower incidence of ear infections.

"Their dental health is generally good, since the natural sucking action of the breastfed infant helps incoming teeth align properly," she added.

Ajayi said a toddler's immune system functions much better since breast milk contains an immunoglobulin (IGA) which coats the lining of the intestines, which helps prevent germs from penetrating through.

She emphasised that the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recommends that mothers should breastfeed until the child is three years old and then as long as the baby and mother mutually want to, which is better for their health.