Breastfeeding is both beneficial to the new baby and the mother. Some of the benefits includes maintaining healthy weight, brain development, weight loss for nursing mothers, a store house of antibodies which helps to treat various illness such as respiratory tract infection, cold, middle ear infection, intestinal tissue damage, celiac disease, childhood leukemia, gut infection and more. Other benefits includes nutritious baby meal, lowering risk of SIDS, strengthening bones, and supporting uterus contract.
Various studies have concluded that breastfeeding benefits both, the mother and the baby. This is possible because breast milk contains plenty of nutrients that promote an infant’s health and prevent the onset of various diseases and infections.
Feeding is a complete nutritious meal for a baby, as it strengthens the immune system, protects their delicate bodies, and reduces their vulnerabilities to food allergies. For mothers, it reduces body weight and wards off depression.
So, if you are interested in knowing the benefits of breast-milk, this article will discuss each one in detail.
11 Benefits of Breastfeeding for Both Baby and Mom
1. It is a Storehouse of Antibodies
Your newborn baby needs something to fight infectious bacteria and viruses. Breast-milk contains plenty of antibodies including colostrum.
It provides high amounts of immunoglobulin to protect the overall health of your baby by forming a protective layer around the throat, digestive system, and nose.
It strengthens the tiny immune system of an infant. And a strong immunity is also necessary to treat various illnesses such as:
- Respiratory tract infection
- Colds and infections
- Middle ear infections
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome
- Intestinal tissue damage
- Gut infections
- Celiac disease
- Childhood leukemia
It is worth noting that baby-milk formula does not provide antibody protection. That is why infants who are not breastfed are prone to minor health issues to worse ones like cancer.
2. Help Maintains Healthy Weight
Obese children and adults are vulnerable to various chronic diseases. Many studies suggest that nursing ensures a healthy weight gain and prevents childhood obesity. The obesity rate is usually 30% lower in breastfed babies as compared to formula fed ones.
Breast-milk provides leptin which is a potential hormone that regulates fat storage and appetite. Duration matters in this case, as each week or month alleviates the risks of future obesity in your baby by 14%.
3. For Brain Development
Cognitive development is necessary because it aids memory, creativity, education, skills, and training of your baby over their entire lifetime. Breast-milk contains nutrients that promote healthy brain growth, and that is something you cannot find in baby milk formula.
Plus, a strong brain boosts IQ levels in breastfed children. A study suggests that breastfed infants grow into focused individuals whereas formula-fed babies lack concentration. So, opting for nursing for the required time may benefit your little one in the longer run.
4. A Nutritious Baby Meal
A baby needs plenty of minerals, proteins, and vitamins for overall healthy development. Breast-milk contains each nutrient that an infant needs to grow a stronger body.
Most doctors suggest nursing for six months in right portions to make sure your baby gets the required amounts of nutrients. That is why child nutritionists prohibit feeding baby milk formula. It contains a few nutrients and preservatives found in it can hurt your baby’s health.
5. No Need for Braces
Braces seem an only option for children suffering from malocclusion which is a condition of misaligned teeth. Not only does it look unattractive, but it can affect your child’s self-esteem as well.
Nursing ensures proper formation of teeth, and minimizes the chances of braces. According to studies, the average nursing period in this context should be 10 months at least.
6. You can Lose Weight
This case is quite complex as some women lose weight effortlessly whereas others do not observe any significant change.
Despite that, after around three months of lactation, most women are likely to burn fats faster. Moreover, you can shed a few pounds via breastfeeding for six months whereas a well-balanced and exercise diet is still required to get back on track.
7. It Combats Depression
Many mothers encounter postpartum depression after childbirth and you may not need medication to help you cure this; breastfeeding is an effective remedy.
Postpartum depression affects women under two conditions – when they choose not to breastfeed, and where they do not continue nursing to the required time.
Mothers go through an extensive hormonal change throughout pregnancy and delivery. Nursing not only increases the oxytocin in their bodies, but triggers certain enzymes in their brains. Both of these have long-term, anti-anxiety, relaxation and nurturing effects.
8. Nursing Lowers Risks of SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome SIDS is rare but a harrowing condition and many things could contribute to it including the fragile health of the baby.
Breast-milk is rich in all the nutrients that neutralize the risks of SIDs. Several studies have revealed that breastfeeding for six months to a year can lower the risks associated with the syndrome by a half percent.
9. Strengthens Your Bones
There is no denying that women are vulnerable to postmenopausal osteoporosis. While the bones of your spine and hips get less dense for six months post-childbirth, your body absorbs calcium very effectively during the pregnancy and the lactation period.
Breast-feeding, therefore, is intimately linked with bone-strength.
10. Lowers Risk of Cancer
Chronic diseases such as cancer are common in children as well. While you can’t completely control cancer, you can take some precautionary steps to protect your baby, and this includes regular nursing.
Breast-milk can reduce the risks associated with distinctive kinds of cancers. Moreover, health experts believe that breastfeeding wards off symptoms that contribute to premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
11. Supports Uterus Contract
Your uterus expands during pregnancy and gets back to its previous size after childbirth; this is called involution and it’s driven by oxytocin. Nursing triggers the formation of this hormone, and supports the contraction of the uterus as well as reduces excessive bleeding.
Bottom Line
Breastfeeding is a natural way not only to improve your newborn baby’s health but to protect you against various health issues. Plus, breast-milk contains all the essential nutrients that your little one needs. So, opt for nursing and ensure the healthy development of your baby.
