Benefits of Breastfeeding
For me, the benefits of breastfeeding are endless, I see it as the natural way to feed your baby. But then my breastfeeding experience, although painful at times, was not as horrific as I have seen it get for others. I guess this is my way of saying that at the end of the day your decision to breastfeed through whatever breastfeeding problems you may be experiencing needs to be based on what you feel is best for you and your family. There is so much more to being a great mum than breastfeeding.
Having said all that...If you are pregnant, not sure what you think of breastfeeding, or trying to decide how you will feed, here are some of the benefits of breastfeeding....
For Baby
• Your breast milk changes as your baby grows so that your baby is getting exactly what he or she needs at any particular stage in their growth.
• When you are sick the antibodies that your body builds to protect you get passed onto your baby through your breast milk. How amazing is that!!
• Your breast milk contains all the protein, fats, nutrients, salts and sugars, antibodies and antibacterial agents that your baby needs.
• Your breast milk will protect your baby from bowel and lung illnesses, infection and gastroenteritis.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to have middle ear infections and eczema.
• The IQ's of breastfed babies are generally higher, their speech, eyesight and jaw development is generally better than babies that are not breastfed.
• Babies who are formula fed also have a higher chance of developing juvenile diabetes, and childhood cancers.
For Mum
When people think or talk about the benefits of breastfeeding it usually relates to what it can do for babies. But there is so much that breastfeeding does for mums too.
• Breastfeeding reduces your risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
• It helps your uterus and your body return to shape after the stress of carrying and delivering your baby.
• The hormones released while breastfeeding help to relax you as well as your baby, so in effect it often helps them go to sleep. If you have ever seen a baby look drunk on breast milk you'll know what I'm talking about.
• It can delay your menstrual cycle. Music to my ears! YAY!!
• Baby vomit and pooy nappies smell sweet rather than gross.
• You save money on formula, bottles, sterilizers....not to mention time in preparing it all...breast pumps and bottles used for breast milk don't need to be sterilized because breast milk contains anti bacterial agents.
• Your breast milk is pretty much on tap, so if you're stuck in traffic, or held up you can simply feed your baby, it's the right temperature every time!
• It can also save you money in doctors and hospital bills, medicines and time off work looking after sick babies...it's an environmental saving too in terms of the energy and resources it takes to manufacture formula and its containers.
• It's empowering, it feels great to know that all your baby needs is you and that your body is actually helping them to a great start in life.
To be able to breastfeed your precious baby is truly amazing. Yes it can be painful, confusing and stressful...but tell me what aspect of parenting isn't.
I feel that breastfeeding is a gift, and the benefits of breastfeeding make it truly worthwhile. Any hurdles are usually temporary, natural and perfectly normal. So please give breastfeeding a real go and look for support as soon as you need it. Sometimes this means looking for support over and over again until you find the right support for you, but you're not alone and you wont look back.
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