Breastfeeding - the benefits

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 and her baby:

Benefits for Baby -

• 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. Breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests, especially babies who were born pre-maturely.

Benefits for Mothers -

• 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 doctor or nurse about birth control choices.)

• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

• 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, which to an already exhausted mother is a welcome relief!

• Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time for herself and her baby.

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

There are many resources available for women who wish to breastfeed.  For more information on it's benefits visit The National Womens Health Information Center.