Breastfeeding your baby is one of the best aspects of motherhood. The first few weeks can be difficult, but mastering the art of breastfeeding can be achieved over a period of time. Understanding how breastfeeding improves your health and the health of your baby can keep you motivated and increase your chances of success. Here are 5 top reasons to breastfeed your baby to help you get started.

1. Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby

Breast milk is the best food for your baby. It contains all the important nutrients your baby needs. Breast milk contains valuable antibodies that help prevent diseases. It also reduces the risk of your baby developing allergies. After birth, your first milk, which is called Colostrum offers vital early protection to your baby and helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in your baby’s stomach by coating the digestive system. This early protection is even more important if your baby is born prematurely.

2. Breastmilk aids your baby’s growth tremendously

Breastfeeding babies need to work harder to draw milk into their mouths. This strengthens their jaws and promotes better tooth alignment. They develop aim and hand/eye coordination. Breastmilk contains omega-3 fatty acid that promotes healthy eye development. Researchers have found that breastfed children score high in IQ tests.

3. Breastfeeding improves mother’s health

Nine months of pregnancy stretches a woman’s uterus. Breastfeeding stimulates the release of oxytocin from a mother’s pituitary gland that helps the uterus to shrink and heal. Research suggests that breastfeeding your baby provides protection against breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Your body burns calories when producing milk, so breastfeeding your baby can help you lose the weight you gained during pregnancy. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces stress level and the risk of having a postpartum depression.

4. Breastfeeding is convenient and portable

Breast milk is safe, fresh and exactly the right temperature. It’s instantly available to be consumed with no heating, boiling or washing involved. This makes night time feedings a lot easier and while traveling.

5. Breastfeeding is the best bonding factor

Breastfeeding is a natural way of slowing down and focusing on your baby. It also offers working moms the chance to reconnect with their babies after a long day at work. Breastfeeding is equally relaxing to the babies and they experience maximum skin-to-skin contact with their moms, which have been proven to promote bonding between mother and baby.

Is there an alternative to breastfeeding?

Breastmilk is nature’s perfect baby food. But if you can’t breastfeed or if you’ve chosen not to, formula milk is the next best thing.

Will my baby be healthy and fit like the breastfeeding babies?

Parenting is more than breastfeeding your baby. Choosing the right formula will keep your baby as healthy as the breastfeeding babies. Scientists and medical experts have spent years developing high-quality formula milks that will provide your baby with the nutrition he or she needs.

Will I still be able to bond with my baby even if I don’t breastfeed?

It’s absolutely possible to bond with your baby even if you are not able to breastfeed. When formula feeding, hold your baby close to your chest just like breastfeeding and make eye contact. Always remember that there are more factors to bonding with your child than nursing. As a mother, how you feel about your baby reflects on him or her.

References

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/nursing-basics
http://www.babycenter.com/0_when-you-just-cant-breastfeed_8485.bc
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-buy-baby-formula_1334669.bc

Looking for more information?

Check out these articles:
https://www.thebabbleout.com/feeding/breastfeeding/
https://katherinerosman.com/benefits-of-breastfeeding/