Breastfeeding Benefits
Being a new mom could be overwhelming. For one, you might be struggling with postpartum issues. It can be a challenge to first-time parents, dealing with the new baby, hence, you’ll need all the help you can get. Listed here are some items that will help you and your husband in coping with your new lives as parents. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, this list will help you with baby sleep training, while learning about breastfeeding benefits!
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What are some of the major benefits of breastfeeding?
Well, this is no judgment against women who formula-feed. I just wanted to clear that up, both of my children were formula-fed with organic formulas that were right for them.
There are many breastfeeding benefits and this pumping and nursing bra helps you achieve them. It’s versatile as you can use it for breastfeeding or pumping. This is a good choice for working moms. If you are a stay-at-home mom, it is also a good choice. It holds bottles securely and comfortably.
Breast Feeding Benefits
Breastfeeding, formula feeding, or mixed feeding. It’s a hot topic of debate for many people, even those who are not into parenthood themselves.
It’s a feeding decision that causes stress and nightmares, especially to new moms.
Whichever route you might choose, you can’t deny that breastfeeding has many pros. Here are some of the many breastfeeding benefits.
1. Stronger Immunity During Infant’s First Year
Newborn babies are vulnerable during their first year of life. This is because their immune system is still immature. It’s important to prevent even the most common illnesses, such as cough and colds.
Breastfed babies are better protected against common infections. This is in comparison to mixed or formula-fed babies, according to research.
In fact, according to a new study, “breastfeeding for at least two months could cut the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) nearly in half”.
SIDS, also called crib death, is the unexplained and sudden death of an infant aged one year or younger.
In 2017, there were 1,400 reported infant deaths due to SIDS, according to the CDC.
Other infections and illnesses that breastfeeding could prevent are:
- Middle ear infections
- Cough and colds
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Diabetes
- Allergies
2. Provision of Ideal Nutrition for the Child
Healthcare authorities recommend exclusive breastfeeding at least for the first six months. Of course, that is unless the new mother can’t breastfeed.
A mother’s breast milk doesn’t stay the same throughout the entire duration of her breastfeeding. The composition of breast milk changes depending on what nutrients the infant needs.
During the first few days of birth, for instance, breast milk is full of colostrum. It’s the first form of milk that’s higher in protein and antibodies than the later forms of breast milk.
To compare, infant milk formula stays the same throughout the entire duration of feeding.
Of course, the mother must eat healthy to produce healthy breast milk. The mother must eat a balanced diet. These are meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and iron-rich protein.
3.Promotes Healthy Weight Gain
Because breast milk provides ideal nutrition, it also promotes healthy weight gain. Infants need different amounts of fats, protein, and carbohydrates during their current life stages.
Breast milk changes accordingly to provide them with enough nutrition.
In comparison, formula milk has the same ratio throughout. Many formula-fed babies are at risk of developing childhood diabetes and obesity.
This is because a lot of formula milk has a significant amount of sugar. The risk is significantly higher, too, at around 15-30% higher than breastfed babies.
4. Lowers Risk of Depression in Mothers
The list of breastfeeding benefits isn’t exclusive to infants. Mothers are included in them, too. One huge benefit is that it lowers the risk of developing postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is a disorder that can develop shortly after giving birth. It affects up to 15% of all mothers across social statuses and educational backgrounds.
5. Inexpensive, Readily Available, and Always at the Right Temperature
Among the three feeding choices postpartum, breastfeeding is the most affordable.
It’s also readily available and sustainable. A breastfeeding mother may save up to $1,500 during the first year.
The more the mother breastfeeds, the more breast milk the body produces. As long as the infant demands, it’ll always be in supply.
And there won’t be any need to sterilize bottles and nipples or to warm up the milk to the right temperature.
Breastfeeding has many benefits, not just for infants, but for mothers, too. It’s understandable why health experts advocate it.
Mothers who can breastfeed should give this option a second glance.
6. Speeds Up Postpartum Weight Loss
Many moms feel uncomfortable in their new postpartum bodies, however, breastfeeding burns calories and helps your body bring itself closer to its pre-baby state.
Research shows that many mothers report breastfeeding helped accelerate their weight loss efforts.
7. It supports a healthy bond between baby and mother
This is one thing that only a mother can do for her baby (with exception of donor breastmilk, formula, etc). However, breastfeeding is something that occurs postpartum after a woman’s hormones such as prolactin cause her to produce breastmilk.
This snuggling bond with your newborn baby can help them feel more comfortable and they truly enjoy the skin-to-skin contact. This of course can be done outside of breastfeeding, however this is another breastfeeding benefit because it knocks out two birds with one stone.
Breastfeeding Tips
1. Work on sleep training
Even if you are breastfeeding, you can feed larger amounts and do it less frequently. This will help you be less stressed, have a decreased risk of postpartum depression or anxiety and it can help you produce more milk.
2. Utilize products that make your life easier
Such as a bassinet that is next to your bed, so your baby does not have to get worked up, and then you spend an hour trying to calm them back down. This will make it more convenient to roll over and breastfeed and it is safer than co-sleeping which is of course up to your own decisions, by doing your own research.
Or even better is a crib that is attached to the side of your bed (this is better for the first few months when sleep training is not advised for newborns).
- Easy to attach or remove from parents’ bed using the two fastening straps provided.
- 7 height positions to suit parents' bed. Easy-open side panel for bedside mode.
- The two-side mesh makes a more breathable and cozy room.
- Stable bottom supported and comfortable mattress with a sleeping board.
- Suitable from Birth to 5-months/33lbs or until baby can pull themselves into an upright position.
This product may sound unnecessary, but when you are waking up every two hours to breastfeed for the first 4 months of your new baby’s life, you will want everything to be as easy as possible.
3. Don’t beat yourself up
I see so many mothers shaming each other for breastfeeding or not breastfeeding, others say fed is best. However, this will come down to your personal preference.
We know that the breastfeeding benefits are definitely very important but we have to take into consideration other factors such as the mother’s mental health.
The risk for suicide from postpartum depression is a real concern and beating yourself up or putting down another mother because they choose to supplement or formula feed to better support their mental health should be avoided.
4. Utilize Herbs & Lactation Products
There are many breastfeeding products that work to help a mother increase her milk supply. Such as lactation cookies, herbal supplements, massagers, heat compresses, and more.
Something unconventional that helped me when I was trying to breastfeed my son was to drink a lot of raw cow’s milk. Yes, I said raw milk. It is a good source of fat, it has all of the enzymes and nutrients that help you digest it better than pasteurized and highly processed kinds of milk.
Using teas such as the mother’s milk tea with some manuka honey will help you pass those nutrients on to your baby, as well as support your supply and your immune system.
- Promotes breast milk production for nursing mothers
- America's #1 lactation tea. Loved by moms for over 40 years.
- Lactation consultant recommended. Does Not Contain Any of the 8 Major Allergens
- 100% USDA Certified Organic ingredients. Non-GMO certified. Kosher
- No stevia. No natural flavors. Caffeine-free
- Medicinal-grade organic herbs from ethical trading partnerships
- Sweet with a distinct licorice taste
Originally posted 2020-02-25 08:11:00.
Megan Santiago
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