So throw those bottles and cans away and read these helpful benefits for you and your little one.
Table of Contents
Benefits for babies:
Once the baby is born, early skin-to-skin contact and suckling have strong physical and emotional benefits. It promotes a bond between the mother and the baby because they are held more.
The first three days, colostrum will be produced. It is made mostly out of proteins and helps develop the baby’s immune system. Remember, throughout his first 6 months, babies borrow their mother’s immune system to protect itself. Mom’s pass their immunoglobulins (IgA) and antibodies unto their babies through lactation. Studies show that babies who are breastfed have a better response to vaccines than those who weren’t. Best way to help your kid grow strong and healthy? Breastfeeding…
Breastfeeding decreases the chance of allergies in your babies, lactose intolerance, diarrhea, upset stomach, and constipation. Recent studies show that breastfeeding protects your baby on the long run against chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, celiac disease, cancer and Crohn´s disease.
Your breasts are made anatomically correct to fit your baby’s mouth, promoting the appropriate development for his/her jaw’s and teeth.
There are lower rates of infant mortality because Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) lowers as well. Babies are less likely to be hospitalized because they have stronger immune systems.
Overall, you will protect them in the long run. Studies have shown it lowers the risk of immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Benefits for you:
Breastfeeding forges a positive bond and relationship with your baby since it makes you rely on your instincts to know when the baby is full so it is a good way to learn about your baby and his/her behavior. Not only that, it releases oxytocin unto your blood stream which not only soothes and keeps you happy, but as well helps your uterus contract reducing blood loss preventing anemias.
It offers a free form of contraception for at least 6 months. Just make sure you don’t mix breastfeeding with formula or train your baby to sleep for long hours. For this method to work correctly, baby must be feeding at least every four hours so ovulation doesn’t occur.
Just imagine burning 500 extra calories a day just by breastfeeding. So, instead of hitting the gym to lose those extra pounds you gained through pregnancy, just let that baby suckle so more calories can be burned. Studies have shown that breastfeeding prevents obesity in the long run for you and your baby.
According to recent studies, breastfeeding will lower the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. As well as protect you against immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Protects you against osteoporosis because your body absorbs calcium in a more efficient way and will protect you as well against certain chronic diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Some extra benefits that are helpful not only to you and your baby, but to the community in general are, better herd immunization. Since babies have a better response to vaccines, they help protect other babies that don’t get vaccines lowering medical costs and infant hospitalizations.
