Breast feeding is good for baby,and it is also good for mother. When mothers follow nature's lead and breastfeed their babies, their own bodies benefit--so do their budgets!
There are many studies that have shown the advantages of breast feeding, not only for the baby, but also for the mother. There is no doubt that breast feeding carries many advantages. Many mothers find that they truly enjoy the process of breast feeding their babies, especially when they realize that their baby will be happier and healthier as a result of breast feeding!
1. Helps the infant fight infection and diseases like ear infections, meningitis, diarrhea and respiratory infections. It is a boon for the premature baby. It acts as a protective shield against allergies, asthma, and obesity.
2. Is easily assimilated by the infants and child's body due to the perfect combination of protein (whey and casein), lactose and fat.
3. Nutritional profile of breast milk in terms of calories, vitamins, and minerals is the BEST for the infant as it has the perfect proportion of them all. The same is not true for commercial mixtures as the complex bio-molecules present in breast milk cannot be copied in the lab and put in the mixture.
4. The uniqueness and precious nature of breast milk is enhanced by the fact that it is an asset given by nature and has no price. According to researchers, infants receiving breast milk exclusively for 4 or more months have 40% fewer episodes of ear infections. In a case study published in the April 1999 issue of the journal Pediatrics, researchers determined that infants who were never breastfed would incur additional medical costs of $331 to $475 per year.
5. Breastfeeding is also an antidote for finicky children as due to the increasing demands for energy on the mother she has an extra calorie of 500 kcals in the day. This implies that in order to compensate for this deficit she has to take a variety of foods. The end result is that the infant is exposed to so many food tastes through the mothers' milk that they develop a broad spectrum of taste preferences and so that is how children grow up to eat a variety of foods.
5. Breastfeeding is also an antidote for finicky children as due to the increasing demands for energy on the mother she has an extra calorie of 500 kcals in the day. This implies that in order to compensate for this deficit she has to take a variety of foods. The end result is that the infant is exposed to so many food tastes through the mothers' milk that they develop a broad spectrum of taste preferences and so that is how children grow up to eat a variety of foods.
6. The best bet for breast milk is the "just perfect" nature which suits the infant best. There is no need to worry about infection or temperature or freshness and the likes.
7. There are numerous health benefits both for the mother and the child if breastfeeding is resorted to. Studies have indicated that breastfed infants are less prone to childhood obesity than others. Additionally, breast-fed infants have a higher IQ than those that are not. Statistics reveal that children breastfed for a period of 6 months and alone, exclusively, possess a 5 to 10 points higher IQ than formula-fed infants. Talking in terms of the mother, the act of breastfeeding is especially beneficial as it helps to burn calories, which results in weight reduction. It is also known to help in the process of shrinking the uterus. Additionally, studies have indicated that nursing mothers who breastfeed have lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer, decreased risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
8. The other aspect is psychological security. Breast-fed infants are closer to their mothers and feel secure with them more than others. There is a special feeling of bonding between them.
9. Reduces the risk of breast cancer. Women who breastfeed reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 25 percent. The reduction in cancer risk comes in proportion to the cumulative lifetime duration of breastfeeding. That is, the more months or years a mother breastfeeds, the lower her risk of breast cancer.
10. Reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer. One of the reasons for the cancer-fighting effects of breastfeeding is that estrogen levels are lower during lactation. It is thought that the less estrogen available to stimulate the lining of the uterus and perhaps breast tissue also, the less the risk of these tissues becoming cancerous.
11. Lessens osteoporosis. Non-breastfeeding women have a four times greater chance of developing osteoporosis than breastfeeding women and are more likely to suffer from hip fractures in the post-menopausal years.
12. Benefits child spacing. Since breastfeeding delays ovulation, the longer a mother breastfeeds the more she is able to practice natural childspacing, if she desires. How long a woman remains infertile depends on her baby's nursing pattern and her own individual baby.
13. Promotes emotional health. Not only is breastfeeding good for mother's body, it's good for her mind. Studies show that breastfeeding mothers show less postpartum anxiety and depression than do formula-feeding mothers.
14. Promotes postpartum weight loss. Breastfeeding mothers showed significantly larger reductions in hip circumference and more fat loss by one month postpartum when compared with formula-feeding moms. Breastfeeding mothers tend to have an earlier return to their pre-pregnant weight.
Costs less to breastfeed. It costs around $1,200 a year to formula-feed your baby. Even taking into consideration the slight increase in food costs to a breastfeeding mother, the American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that a breastfeeding mother will save around $400 during the first year of breastfeeding.
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