The Benefits Of Breastfeeding

Why breastfeed?

Breastfeeding vs bottle feeding

The benefits of breastfeeding are immense, nothing can compare to the properties in human milk. Breastmilk contains a 100% correct ratio of calories, fat, protein, fluid, vitamins and minerals needed for baby's development and growth.

The benefits of breastfeeding mentioned below will hopefully prove to you that you can never compare the two and that you will be doing the best thing for you, your baby and even the environment when you decide to breastfeed.

How long to breastfeed

Exclusive breast feeding for the first six months of life provides the maximum benefits…but if you can breastfeed longer, then that’s even better!

Benefits of breast feeding your baby “advantages of breast milk”

- Breast milk contains antibodies which will strengthen baby’s immune system.

- Breasmilk is easier to digest than formula

- Your breast milk changes with the needs of your baby for his specific growth and nutritional needs

- Children that are breastfed have lower risk of vomiting and diarrhoea

- Babies that are breastfed have been found to have a reduced risk of constipation and colic

- Lower risk of childhood diabetes

- Breastfed children have a lower risk of asthma, eczema, ear infections, bronchitis

- Another great benefit of breastfeeding is that breastfed babies have a decreased risk of tooth decay

- Improved brain and nervous system development

- Reduced risk of heart disease later in life

- Breast feeding provides a special bond between baby and mom

- Lower risk of childhood obesity

- Breast fed babies are less likely to get thrush

Advantages of breastfeeding for mom

- Lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancers

- Reduced risk of anaemia

- Breastfeeding helps mom get that pre pregnancy body back. Breastfeeding can burn up to 1,500 calories daily!

- Helps delay fertility so that pregnancies are not too close to each other

- Special bonding between mother and baby

- Breast milk is free! Which saves you money on formula

- Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract after birth helping to control postpartum bleeding

- Breastfeeding releases feel good hormones which will lower moms risk of postpartum depression

Breastfeeding benefits on the environment

- Breastfeeding reduces the costs of healthcare

- Another benefit of Breastfeeding is that it reduces insurance premiums

- Reduced pollution caused through the manufacture and disposing of artificial milk

Other breast feeding benefits

- A great breastfeeding benefit is that mom can breast feed baby while she is sleeping

- Less preparation time and breastmilk comes at the perfect temperature and is always sterile (no cleaning up afterwards either)

Other pages on “breastfeeding problems” related to the advantages of breast feeding

- Frustration and depression (PPD)

- The importance of colostrum

- Lactation stories

- Comfort nursing

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