The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Both Mother and Baby*

While you are in the thick of your pregnancy and beginning to plan out the nursery for the baby by imagining the decor, and you may be even shopping for baby onesies early on. That is because you are either unsure of the baby’s gender or you already found out the baby’s set, but you know there is a chance the technician may have been wrong. And another thing you are pondering at this point as well as whether or not you want to breastfeed your baby.

It is absolutely true that fed is best as not all mothers are about to nurse or exclusively pump for their babies. It may be due to the fact that they must go on medication after the pregnancy that could make it dangerous to breastfeed or that they are unable to for other physiological reasons. Or there are moms that decide they only want to give their babies formula and there is nothing wrong with that. However, if the mom is able to breastfeed and wants to give it a try, then she will want to learn about the benefits that come with breastfeeding for both the mom and the baby. That will be covered below:

The Baby Will Receive The Right Amount Of Nutrients Through Breast Milk
Breast milk has everything that the baby needs as far as the proper nutrition goes in the right proportion as the baby ages. For instance, breast milk contains the right amount of nutrients proportionally for the first 6 months. And as the baby’s nutritional needs change, breastmilk can accommodate that. That is why as soon as the baby is born, breast milk is the richest in nutrients and in calories because that is what the baby needs, and preemies are much better off getting breast milk for that reason as they need it the most.

If the mothers are unable to pump, then hospitals have donor milk programs for mothers who have an excess of milk and want to donate their own and they are strongly screened as well.

Breast Milk Has Important Antibodies That Is Critical To The Baby’s Immune System Development
That is another reason that premature babies are much better off getting breast milk rather than baby formula because it helps boost their immune system. And that is why babies that are breastfed have stronger immune systems than those who are not. However, again, fed is best, and if breastfeeding isn’t possible. formula companies do their best to make formula as nutritious as breast milk and formula-fed babies can also develop strong immune systems. However, breastfeeding really does add that extra benefit.

Breastfeeding Reduces The Risk Of Many Diseases
Breastfed babies are much better off because they have a healthier start to life as they are less inclined to end up with many common diseases such as celiac disease, ear infections, colds, digestive issues, and many more. Babies that are breastfed are also less likely to end up with SIDS. However, again, if breastfeeding isn’t possible, there are many formula-fed babies that have iron-clad health but breast milk does increase the odds of it.

Healthy Weight Of The Baby Is Promoted
The truth is that many babies that are breastfed are less likely to end up with weight problems whether it is by not having enough weight or by being overweight or obese. Because breast milk is rich in the nutrients the baby needs, it will help keep blood sugar levels regulated and that will also help keep weight more or less regulated – for life. Now that isn’t going to be a guarantee, but the odds are much higher a breastfed baby will not fight with weight issues as they grow into adulthood.

Breastfeeding Helps The Uterus Contract Quicker
Lactating helps shrink the uterus down quicker and that means the uterus will be back at its normal size. Mothers who don’t breastfeed will end up having the uterus contract more slowly which extends the uncomfortable postpartum period.

Breastfeeding Can Help The Mother Lose Weight
Breastfeeding takes up a lot of energy, and even though nursing or exclusively pumping mothers are told to take in 500 extra calories a day, they still end up burning off more than they take in. That is because nursing or pumping really does use up a lot of energy. That is why breastfeeding mothers are more likely to lose that baby weight a lot quicker than the moms who are not breastfeeding or pumping.

However, regardless of how the mother feeds her baby, a proper diet and exercise plan in place will help shed off those pounds. Breastfeeding will just help that happen quicker.

Breastfeeding Helps Reduce The Risk Of Certain Cancers In Mothers
There is another benefit for the mom with breastfeeding and that is it can help reduce the risk of her developing cancers, especially of those that involve the reproductive organs. That is because of the hormones that are suppressed during breastfeeding are not exposed to those organs which is healthier. However, that also does not mean that formula-feeding moms are doomed to end up with any type of cancer either. Breastfeeding does help reduce the risk but the likelihood of ending up with cancer is more based on genetics.

And there are more benefits of breastfeeding as well such as it can help lower the risk of depression in mothers, and it can even help increase the baby’s IQ. That is why it is ideal to breastfeed but just know it will not always come naturally. And even if it cannot happen, formula-fed babies are healthy too so just remember that. Breast is best, but in some cases, generally speaking, fed is best.

However, while the expectant mom is thinking about how the nursery will look and the hipster baby clothes that she will want to see her baby-to-be wear – it is important that she also really does read up on all of the benefits of breastfeeding. And at the same time, if it cannot be done, she must not berate herself either.