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Benefits Of Breastfeeding

Why breastfeeding is best?

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We have read a lot about the benefits of breastfeeding from parenting books and other health articles. So what are the benefits for mamas and babies? What will they gain from breastfeeding?

Breast Milk Is Nature's Perfect Food

Our breast milk is the most ideal milk for our baby because:

• Beast milk is perfectly balanced and contains everything the baby needs at every stage of his growth and development.

• Breast milk contains antibodies which help protect the baby from infections, allergies and illness.

• Breast milk is easier to digest so the baby may have less constipation.

• Breast milk is free, readily available at any hour of the day or night.

Benefits For The Baby

The benefits of breastfeeding for babies are most seen in terms of health. As mentioned, breast milk contains the right composition of nutrients in the correct amount to satisfy the baby's growing needs.

Nutrients and antibodies are passed through to the baby through breast milk. These special agents will help to lower the risk of or protect against:

• Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea)
• Respiratory infections (coughs, colds)
• Food allergies and eczema
• Urinary tract infections
• Chest infections and wheezing
• Ear infections
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

The thick, yellowish fluid called colostrum, which is the first milk the baby receives, is especially precious. It has no fat and little sugar, and contains important antibodies from the mother's body providing "immunological protection".

Although some infections may still occur in breastfed babies, they tend to be of a shorter duration and less severe compared with those found in babies who are formula-fed.

Breastfed babies are also at less risk of developing certain diseases such as diabetes and obesity later in life.

On top of all these, kids who have been breastfed on average score higher on IQ tests and are gentler in nature than those babies who have not been breastfed.

Benefits For The Mother

Breastfeeding is not only best for baby, but also has many emotional and physical benefits for mamas.

Physically, the sucking effect of breastfeeding causes your uterus to contract, thereby helping it to return to its normal size quickly. You'll find that you lose the excess weight that you have gained during your pregnancy easily as the fat stores accumulated during pregnancy are utilized in milk production.

Also, breastfeeding helps to reduce your risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. It delays the return of menstruation and fertility, and hence improves the possibility of natural child spacing.

Emotionally, breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mama and baby. It allows mama and baby to bond more closely. Once you have become accustomed to the routine, you will look forward to those special moments that you share with your baby during breastfeeding.

Other Benefits Of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is convenient and saves time and money. It's convenient because it allows you to respond to your baby's hunger immediately any time, any place. You also need not worry about how much your baby requires as he will take as much as he needs.

There's also no worry on which infant formula is suitable for your baby and which is not. Not to mention the amount of money you save from buying all the expensive infant formula, too.

In fact, breast milk is the only food you need to give your baby for the first 6 months. There is no need to supplement with infant formula. No infant formula can measure up to breast milk as a complete food for your baby.

Breast milk is the best milk you can give your baby. That's why breastfed babies are so healthy. I dare to say this because both my boys are the true example of healthy breastfed babies!

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