Wondering just what makes breastfeeding the best choice for you and your baby?
Here is a list and a handy infographic to break down the facts for you!
Fewer illnesses in the baby, because every time your child receives your milk, germ fighting agents called antibodies are given to your baby.
As long as your baby gets exclusive breastmilk feeds it is harder for germs to get into the body from the gut.
Breastmilk is easily digested by the baby, so fewer stomach aches and less colic.
Breastmilk is free. Families can spend approximately $2000/year to purchase formula.
Breastfed children have higher IQs.
Breastmilk is the perfect food for babies that are born early.
Breastmilk is always ready! Nothing to mix, measure, or clean up.
Most mothers lose their pregnancy weight sooner, since breastfeeding burns 500+ calories a day. (Some people call it giving the baby fat back to the baby!)
It creates a special bond between mother and child.
Decreased risk of female cancers.
It’s “Green.” No driving to the store, extra trash or manufacturing wastes.
Less incidence of obesity in both mother and infant.
Decreased risk of diabetes in both mother and baby.
May help to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death (SIDS).
Breastfeeding provides more than food for child; it’s another chance to give love, and security.
Mothering hormones, released during breastfeeding helps relax mother and decreases risk of depression.
Night time feedings are easier; mothers that breastfeed often get more rest at night.
Once baby is on the breast, you have a free hand/arm to do other things; while you are bottle feeding, both hands are full. Nursing allows you to reach for the phone, eat your dinner, etc.
Going out is easy. You don’t have to take bottles, or worry that you will not have enough for the baby to eat. You can just put a diaper and wipes into your purse and off you go!
Your milk is always changing to meet your child’s growing needs. The composition is different at each stage of their life: different at 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, and 2 years. Human milk is made to adapt perfectly to the changing needs of human babies!
There are more reasons breastfeeding is awesome, but this list will get you started on creating your own list of benefits for you and your baby.