There are many beneficial reasons to breastfeed baby ranging from increased health to the baby and the mother. Some women find that breastfeeding is too difficult due to struggling with postpartum depression. This is something that should be discussed with the mother’s OBGYN to ensure safety and health of the baby and the mother.
One of the many reasons to breastfeed is the health of the baby. Breastmilk is all natural and was designed to meet baby’s every need. It is the perfect food for baby’s sensitive tummies. It also contains all the nutrients, vitamins and fats baby needs for optimal growth.
Another reason to breastfeed is that it greatly lowers a woman’s breast and ovarian cancer risk. This is due to the delay in menstruation while breastfeeding which reduces exposure to estrogen. It is best to breastfeed for at least six months or longer for the greatest benefits to the mother’s health.
Still another reason to breastfeed is that breast milk is 100% free! It is good for the wallet and for the baby at the same time. Many mothers who formula feed have a hard time paying for all the formula. This can be avoided by breastfeeding if at all possible until the baby is at least a year old.
A great side benefit is that it can help mothers lose weight post-birth. Breastfeeding burns 20 calories per ounce so if the baby consumes 20 ounces a day, that’s 400 calories that have burned off just from feeding the baby. Much easier than exercise and cheaper than the gym! In addition, the oxytocin that is released while feeding the baby contracts the uterus which in turn helps it to return to it’s normal size sooner after delivery.
One reason that can put a mother’s mind at ease is that breastfeeding greatly reduces the risk of SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome. It is believed to reduce this risk by around 50%. If nothing else convinces a mother to try to breastfeed, this would be the most vital point to consider.
Here’s another perk for moms, delayed menstruation. No woman enjoys a period, and it’s a nice vacation during pregnancy. However, to delay it even longer, breastfeed. Many moms say their cycles did not resume until 6-12 months after delivery. There is no guarantee it won’t return earlier than that, but it’s certainly possible it will allow a few extra months of freedom from Aunt Flo.
Lastly, there’s nothing more convenient than breastfeeding during the night. There’s no need to get up and fix a bottle with eyes half open. Simply pick up baby, latch to the breast and relax. The milk is already the perfect temperature with no mixing required.
To sum it all up, breastfeeding is an incredible journey with many benefits, a lot of which weren’t even mentioned! It is the best choice of food for baby and with some determination and patience, can be the most rewarding way to bond with the baby. Happy breastfeeding!
