Benefits of Breastfeeding

There are many benefits to breastfeeding. Even if you are able to do it for only a short time, your baby’s immune system can benefit from breast milk. Here are many other benefits of breast milk for a mother, her baby, and others:

1. HEALTH BENEFITS FOR MOM AND BABY INCLUDE:

i. Enhanced Immune System and Resistance to Infection

• Breast milk has agents (called antibodies) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses. Recent studies show that babies who are exclusively breastfed for 6 months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and may be less likely to develop childhood obesity.
• Because breastfed babies are sick less often they have fewer visits to health care providers.
• Breastfed infants’ immune systems (the system that helps fight infection) have a better response to immunizations like polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and Haemophilus influenzae, and to respiratory syncytial virus infection, a common infant respiratory infection.
• When you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile (or clean).

ii. Nutrition and Growth Benefits

• Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother’s milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby’s growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.
• As a result, breastfed infants grow exactly the way they should. They tend to gain less unnecessary weight and to be leaner. This may result in being less overweight later in life.
• Premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature babies who are fed formula.
• Although researchers are not certain, results from some studies show that breastfed children have greater brain development than non-breastfed children.

iii. Improved Health of Mother

• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.
• Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding (no supplementing with formula) delays the return of normal ovulation and menstrual cycles. (However, you should still talk with your health care provider about contraceptive choices.)
• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

2. EMOTIONAL BENEFITS INCLUDE:

i. Convenience and Making Your Life Easier

• Breastfeeding saves time and money. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night!
• A mother can give her baby immediate satisfaction by providing her breast milk when the baby is hungry.
• Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time for herself and her baby.

ii. Positive Feelings

• Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to a newborn and can help them feel more secure, and warm and comforted.
• Breastfeeding mothers may have increased self-confidence and feelings of closeness and bonding with their infants.

Also read: Tips for making breastfeeding a good experience for baby

3. SOCIETAL BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Breastfeeding saves on health care costs. Total medical care costs for the nation are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants since breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
• Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce. Breastfeeding mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less often. Employer medical costs also are lower and employee productivity is higher.
• Breastfeeding is better for our environment because there is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.