Breastfeeding is all about benefiting your child’s health. While there is a significant amount of information out there, it’s important to stick with the facts. The good news is that you can start to prepare before even giving birth!
There are numerous reasons why it’s important to breastfeed your child. Let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of breastfeeding.
1.All the Right Nutrients
Breastmilk isn’t the color you might think. In the days following delivery, breast milk creates a yellowish, thick fluid called colostrum.
It’s filled with just the right amount of protein, sugar, and extremely beneficial compounds for the baby. These are things regular formulas can’t produce for your child.
Colostrum is crucial to your child’s development, as it helps to line the digestive tract. After those first few days, the breastmilk will have larger amounts of milk to then help the baby’s stomach to grow.
2.Stronger Immune System
Because mothers have had years of building their own immune system, breastmilk can help transfer a significant amount of nutrients and live antibodies to the baby.
Antioxidants, enzymes, and other immune properties are more mature. They coat the baby’s intestines to help prevent colds, flus, infections, and allergens from leaking through. In turn, this creates a stronger immune system for your child.
3.Improved Lifespan
Breastfeeding has been correlated with improving the overall lifespan of a child. There is substantially less risk of infant mortality and fewer cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Because of their strengthened immune system, your child will be less likely to spend time in a hospital due to various life-threatening issues, such as whooping cough, bacterial meningitis, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
4.Long-Term Physical Benefits for the Child
Many studies show how breastfeeding can also help the long-term physical health of your child. Things like less asthma or fewer cavities are just skimming the surface.
The long-term health benefits go as far as reducing the risk of various cancers, lowering the chance of diabetes, and less possibility of other diseases such as Crohn’s disease or colitis.
As a teenager, many case studies have shown that those who were breastfed are less likely to develop other ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.
5.Emotional Improvements for Mom
It’s well known that breastfeeding can strengthen the bond between the mother and child. It promotes skin-to-skin contact, which builds affection.
However, it’s not just the bond that improves, but also the mental health of the mother. Breastfeeding produces hormones that are correlated with reduced stress and overall positive emotions. It increases your confidence, self-esteem, and general states of happiness.
6.Physical Benefits for the Mother
No one loves having to deal with the baby’s weight after birth. What you may not know is that breastfeeding burns an extra 500 calories each day for your body to maintain the necessary milk supply.
Mothers need regular exercise not just physically, but to also alleviate extra stress and maintain energy levels. In doing so, you’ll experience less postpartum depression and have less chance of anemia.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are more than just short-term positive impacts of breastfeeding. How it affects you and your child for the long term is just as beneficial.
If you’re struggling with breastfeeding, don’t worry. It’s not your fault as sometimes it can be difficult to get the child to latch just as many mothers experience. You can work with a lactation specialist to help provide the necessary education and support you need.