4 Reasons Why Breastfeeding is Beneficial
Posted by admin on September 16, 2009
New mothers face many decisions when it comes to having a baby. While every little or big decision may seem to share the same level of importance, a mother knows what’s best. For all mothers, the choice to breastfeed or use formula is an important and personal decision, and only a mother knows which is best for her and her baby. If you’re considering breastfeeding, here are some valuable reasons why breastfeeding could be beneficial to you and your baby:
- Healthy Baby Nourishment.Often referred to as the “perfect food,” breast milk has been proven to be the perfect recipe for a hungry baby. Research has proven that breast milk is loaded not only with essential vitamins and minerals, but also with precious antibodies that protect a baby from illness. These infection-fighting antibodies help increase the strength of a baby’s immune system to help fight bacteria and viruses that may cause diarrhea, ear or respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn’s disease, and even meningitis – just to name a few. Especially beneficial to premature babies, research has also shown that breastfeed babies have decreased risk of allergies, childhood obesity, childhood asthma, decreased tooth decay, SIDS, acute appendicitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inguinal hernia, vitamin E and Iron deficiency anemia, pyloric stenosis, and diabetes – once again, just to name a few. As far as recipes go, a mother’ breast milk is the healthiest food a baby could consume. Unlike formula fed babies, breast fed babies have an easier time with digestion, resulting in fewer incidences of constipation or diarrhea, which means less problems for you too.
- Baby Einstein While breast milk can’t guarantee that your baby will be the next Albert Einstein; research has shown that babies fed breast milk generally have higher IQ’s. Specific proteins in breast milk improve a baby’s brain and nervous system development – bonus.
- Bonding It is often noted by doctors and mothers, that breastfeeding helps form a special bond between mother and child. During breastfeeding, oxytocin, often referred to as the love hormone, is released and encourages the bond between mother and baby.
- Healthy Mommy Like the baby, a mother can enjoy several breastfeeding benefits. For one, breastfeeding helps shrink the uterus, helping you regain your pre-pregnancy body. (As mentioned earlier, when a mother breastfeeds, the pituitary gland releases oxytocin, which contracts in both the breasts and uterus.) Breastfeeding also helps you burn more calories (breastfeeding mothers need an extra 500 calories), thus letting your body bounce back to its former shape quicker. In addition to these little perks, studies haven shown that breastfeeding helps decrease the risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, as well as lower the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, and cardiovascular disease.
In general, breastfeeding offers several healthy perks, plus the benefit of convenience and zero cost. It is important to realize that every woman’s needs or experience may be different. While some mothers may breastfeed for a year or more, others simply choose to breastfeed for a few months.
This article brought to you by Scarlett Jewel – Designer Baby Clothes – Adorable Baby Shoes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scarlett_Jewel
Author: Scarlett Jewel
Mail this post
Scarlett Jewel said,
Hi,
This is Scarlett Jewel. I actually wrote this article. I have many more great articles that I haven’t published about parenting and breastfeeding. If you would like for me to send you a few more unpublished articles, please email me at scarlett@mybabyclothesboutique.com.
FYI, I love your site! I couldn’t find your contact info so I just submitted this comment.
Add A Comment