What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

Breast milk is the perfect blend of nutrition for the optimal growth and development of your baby.  The composition of breast milk changes as your baby grows to benefit your baby at each stage of development.  Breast milk is easier for your baby to digest, and uncommon for your baby to allergic to compared with infant formula.  The special antibodies in breast milk provide immune protection to keep your baby healthy, which is important since the baby’s own immune system is not yet fully developed.  This means fewer illnesses such as ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, and pneumonias.  Since breastfed babies are sick less often, there are fewer germs to be shared with other family members.  In addition to decreased infection, breastfeeding has also been found to decrease the risk of childhood diseases such as allergies, asthma, diabetes and obesity.  The rate of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is also reduced in breastfed infants.  Besides the medical benefits of breastfeeding, there are also mental and emotional benefits. Breastfeeding also enhances bonding because of the close skin to skin contact.  For these reasons, most moms who breastfeed their first baby choose to breastfeed their future children.

For the first six months of your baby’s life their nutrition comes from breast milk or formula.  Everyone you know will have dozens of opinions about what is best.  Without question, we all know that human breast milk is the gold standard for ideal nutrition of human babies.  However, many babies have thrived and grown to happy, healthy adults as formula fed infants.  

Breast feeding provides advantages for both Mom and her baby.  Human breast milk contains all the ideal ingredients for growth of the human body; carries Mother’s antibodies to protect the new baby from various infections; reduces the severity of certain infections like stomach viruses and upper respiratory infections; is hypo-allergenic; contains products that stimulate brain development and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and some forms of cancer later in life.  

Breast milk is constantly changing based upon the baby’s needs:  Breast milk for the newborn is different in some ways than that for the child that’s a few months old.  For Mom, the advantages of breast-feeding include the fact that it is the easiest, cheapest way to feed the baby (no advance preparation or products required); a wonderful way to lose pregnancy weight and still eat without guilt; a recent study suggests that there may be a reduced risk of breast cancer; it is an absolutely wonderful way to feel a special closeness to your baby and can be a form of birth control.  In terms of the last advantage, please do not count on breast feeding exclusively as a birth control method.   

There are many benefits for both moms and babies. Because breast milk contains all of the nutrients needed for your baby’s growth and development, breastfeeding is cost-efficient and convenient. For mothers, it leads to a faster postpartum recovery, quicker weight loss after birth, and a reduced risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers. For babies, breastfeeding can reduce the risk of ear infections, diarrhea or constipation, respiratory infections, asthma, diabetes, leukemia, and allergies.

Breastfeeding is important because breast milk provides the best nutrition for your baby. Breast milk has substances in it that are healthy for your baby. Breastfeeding helps protect him or her from infection. It also may decrease your baby's risk for allergies and other medical conditions, such as asthma and diabetes. Breastfeeding can decrease your risk for diseases, such as breast and ovarian cancer and diabetes.

Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby. It's also good for your baby's health and your health too. Most hospitals support and encourage breastfeeding, but the decision to breastfeed is up to you. This information explains the benefits of breastfeeding so you can decide how you wish to feed your baby.

• Breast milk is the best food for your baby.
• Breast milk provides all the food and fluid your baby needs to grow.
• Breast milk is always available. — As soon as your baby is born, a hormone is released by your body that tells your breasts to produce milk. The more your baby feeds, the more milk your breasts make.
• Breast milk is convenient. — It is always at the right temperature and does not require measuring or special preparation.
• Breast milk saves money. — Breast milk is natural and free. Plus, you don't need to buy formula, extra bottles, or other feeding supplies for your baby.
• Breastfeeding is safe for the environment. — Breast milk does not require packaging and doesn't waste paper, glass, tin, plastic, or rubber. Purchased milk substitute products do require packaging.
• Breastfeeding provides comfort to your baby. — By holding your baby close to your skin, you provide warmth to your baby, as well as create a bond between you and your baby that no one else can replace.
• Breastfeeding helps your baby's brain develop. — Studies show that children who are breastfed have higher intelligence scores (by an average of 7 points) than those who are fed breast milk substitutes.
• Breastfeeding helps your baby grow into a healthy adult. — Studies show that people who were breastfed have fewer health problems such as diabetes, asthma, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, allergies, skin problems, and lymphoma, as well as a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Breastfeeding produces healthy babies.