If you’re expecting to have a baby soon or are planning to conceive, you’ve probably heard that breastfeeding has many benefits. The option to breastfeed is a personal decision to feed your baby in the way that is best for your family. I was lucky to be able to breastfeed all 3 of my children. Today I’m sharing a handful of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby to help you make the important decision on what to feed your newborn baby. If you decide breastfeeding is right for you, you’ll want to ready my post on getting started with breastfeeding for new moms.
5 Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom and Baby
Breast Milk is The Perfect Blend of Nutrients
Since breastfeeding is a natural occurrence that allows you to feed baby what your body produces, there’s no comparison for the level of nutrients breast milk provides your baby. Sure, you can try to get as close as possible by using a high quality formula, but the mother’s milk provides baby with the perfect blend of nutrients for baby that automatically adjusts for your baby’s needs.
Mom May Return to Pre-Pregnancy Weight Faster
Moms who are able to breastfeed their baby usually end up returning to their pre-pregnancy weight faster than those who don’t breastfeed. This is due to the fact that your uterus contracts during breastfeeding. This helps it get back to normal size after pregnancy much quicker than if you weren’t breastfeeding. In addition, your body uses energy to create breast milk. It’s burning calories without exercising.
Breastfed Babies May Have Fewer Illnesses
It’s been proven time and time again that breastfed babies have fewer illnesses. Breastfeeding your baby will put him or her at a lower risk for upper respiratory infections, ear infections, asthma and other illnesses that can be quite dangerous for a little baby. This is due to the fact that your own antibodies are passed down through breast milk to your baby to help boost their immune system.
Breastfeeding Builds a Close Bond
Breastfeeding babies get more skin to skin contact. It’s been proven time and time again that the more skin to skin contact a baby gets at the start of life, the more secure they tend to be as they get older. Breastfeeding allows mom and baby to build a deeper bond as they share this moment of nursing together.
Breastfeeding Saves Money
Lastly, one of the biggest benefits of breastfeeding is that it saves you money. Formula can be quite expensive. When you opt to breastfeed your baby, you’re able to spend less money on feeding baby as you don’t have to purchase food for at least the first 4-6 months. Instead of spending part of your grocery budget on formula, you can save that money!
These are just a few of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mom and baby. Not only does it help build your baby’s immune system and allow mom to get back to pre-pregnancy weight sooner, but breastfeeding the perfect way to bond with baby during that first year of life.
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