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Only 1 in 4 infants are exclusively breastfeed, like recommended by the time they are 6 months old. Most mothers want to breastfeed but stop early due to lack of ongoing support.
I have breastfeed all of my three children. I am currently still nursing my youngest daughter at 3 months. I don’t advertise to everyone that I breastfeed. Breastfeeding is an intimate and personal thing between you and your baby. You should not be shy about nursing in public.
I did have my struggles with breastfeeding and very different experiences with each one of my girls. When you research if you should breastfeed or formula feed there is no doubt that breastfeeding has so many more benefits than formula.
When you talk to family and friends, they will all have their opinion on what you should do. It is your body and your baby, so you need to do what feels right for the both of you.
You can always try it and if it becomes overwhelming or you change your mind it’s ok you can switch to formula feeding. No one should ever judge on how you choose to feed your baby.
There are many benefits to breastfeeding so here are 8 that I wanted to share with you in no particular order.
- Financially Beneficial To The Family Finances
Breastfeeding is free. Who doesn’t love free stuff? You do not have to stress out trying to add the extra cost to your family budget each week. Formula is very expensive, and your baby could have sensitive issues and need to use a more expensive brand of formula.
You already have to buy diapers and wipes, unless you choose to cloth diaper. Breastfeeding definitely makes it for one less thing to add to the family finances. When the hospital bills start coming in you can put your money towards paying them not formula.
2. Mom Can Get Back To Her Pre-pregnancy Weight Sooner
Need I say more? Umm yes please, no exercise and I lose weight. Who wouldn’t want to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight faster by practically doing nothing. You can easily burn up to 500 more calories per day when you breastfeed.
When you have a newborn it is really hard to get to the gym or squeeze in any exercise, so any extra calories burned naturally helps.
Of course you still need to eat healthy and maintain an average calorie consumption to get the full benefit to losing the baby weight.
3. It Is Always Ready and An Endless Supply
Ready and willing. You body is always producing milk after the baby drinks it. You never have to worry about running to the store or figure out in the middle of the night how to make a bottle. Baby ready, boob ready it’s as easy as that.
Baby needs more milk you nurse longer. Easy peasy.
4. Creates a Greater Bond Between Mom and Baby.
Breastfeeding allows you to have one on one time with your baby. Breastfeeding bonding is different because you don’t have to fight daddy or grandma to hold your baby. Everyone wants to hold the newborn.
When you breastfeed you get to have an excuse for someone not to hold the baby. Simple as saying you need to feed the baby, no questions asked.
Breastfeeding bonding also gives baby a comforting environment letting the baby feel secure.
5. Fewer Ear Infections, Respiratory Illnesses
Most doctors will recommend breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months. This allows for the baby to receive all the nutrients that breastmilk has to offer your baby. Fewer breathing issues or ear infections.
Breastfeeding is one of the best sources of nutrition for most infants. It can reduce the risk for some health conditions.
6. SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Prevention
Studies show that breastfeed babies are at lower risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Babies immune systems are immature, and breast milk helps provide antibodies to fight infections. RSV, which causes inflammation and that leads to SIDS.
Breastfeeding promotes safer sleep because babies wake easier every 2-3 hours to nurse.
Breastfeeding 4-6 months reduces the risk of SIDS by almost half.
7. Less Stinky Poo Poo
If you have ever had the pleasure of smelling a stinky diaper from a breastmilk baby versus a formula fed baby. There is a stronger order with formula.
8. Breastfeeding Can Prevent Mom and Daughter From Getting Cancer
Something as simple as breastfeeding to prevent a life threatening disease is a major benefit. There is a protein found only in breastmilk that actually helps kill cancer cells. This protein apha-lactalbumin helps produce the sugary lactose in breastmilk.
Girls who have been breastfed are less likely to develop breast cancer later in life. Breastfeeding is a preventative for both mother and baby.
Final Thoughts…
Breastfeeding is a commitment for any mother to make when she decides to breastfeed.
Deciding whether or not to breastfeed is a personal and intimate decision. You may plan to breastfeed and after the baby is born you might not be able to. You could have supply issues. You may try it and find it to be too overwhelming or stressful.
Trying to figure out the hold position of the baby, while holding their head and trying to latch them can seem impossible.
No one can make the choice for you to breastfeed. Once your baby arrives and you hold him or her in your arms your mother instincts will be set in. Some babies are natural breastfeeders, some are not. Breastfeeding is new to you and your baby so you can both learn together. Know that it takes time and if you are willing to put in the efforts and bare some hiccups along the way in the end it will be worth it.
Even if you change your mind after the baby is born not to breastfed that is ok. The most important thing is that your baby is fed.
You should do all of your research while you are pregnant so you can be mentally prepared.
Know that breastfeeding is not forever it is a commitment that is worth exploring.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov