Breastfeeding Benefits

Yes, They Are For Real

Breastfeeding benefits include protection against diseases, such as cancer, diabetis and obesity. And the list goes on...

In one way, I don't really like talking about breastfeeding benefits. The reason is that it can produce so much guilt in new moms who for some reason don't breastfeed. And guilt is far from what makes a happy and easy baby life!

That said, for anyone that is interested, there are real advantages of breastfeeding, both for the mom and the baby. I am personally quite amazed by all the possible positive effects.

And remember, the benefits don't disappear if you have to combine breast milk with formula.

Read about...

• Benefits of Breastfeeding For Your Baby
• Benefits of Breastfeeding For Mom

Benefits of Breastfeeding For Your Baby

• Protection against diseases
• Sticky protection
• Allergy protection
• Higher IQ
• Reduced risk for obesity
• Reduced risk for childhood leukemia
• Type 1 diabetes protection
• Lower risk of SIDS
• Less sensitive to stress
• Protection for preemies

Protection against diseases

Breast milk reduces the risk of common infections, such as ear infections, respiratory problems, diarrhea and urinary tract infection.

Several studies also indicate a connection between lack of breastfeeding and later development of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two serious inflammatory bowel diseases.

Sticky protection

The protection remains for years after you have stopped breastfeeding your baby. And you baby will be protected even if you combine breastfeeding with formula.

Allergy protection

Recent research indicated that breastfeeding, also combined to some extent with formula can postpone allergies and asthma.

The breastfeeding benefits of protection from allergy later in life are not completely clear cut. However, one of the largest studies carried out, indicates that children that only breastfeed for at least 4 months have a lower risk of developing asthma and eczema during their first four years.

Other studies indicate a reduce risk for both eczema, food allergy, and respiratory allergy--throughout childhood and adolescence.

Higher IQ

Several studies show that babies that are breastfed for at least 6 months have a higher IQ than other babies.

Researchers believe that part of the explanation is the bonding that takes place between mother and child. Also, fatty acids in the breast milk are believed to contribute to the baby's brain development.

However a recent study suggests that this connection is false or actually the opposite, and that the results are due to the fact that moms with an academic education (and supposedly a higher IQ) tend to breastfeed their babies more.

I guess the jury is still out...

Reduced risk for obesity

While not unchallenged, several studies indicate a lower risk for adult obesity as a breastfeeding benefit.

A healthy eating pattern as well as less insulin in breast milk than in formula are two possible explanations.

Reduced risk for childhood leukemia

There also appears to be a lower risk of childhood leukemia among breastfed babies.

Experts believe that antibodies in the breast milk are the most likely explanation.

Type 1 diabetes protection

One study indicates that the risk of getting type 1 diabetes is 1.5 times higher if a child is introduced to cow milk (through e.g. formula) before the age of four months, as compared to children that are only breastfed.

Lower risk of SIDS

Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of SIDS, although it is not clear how or how much.

Less sensitive to stress

A recent study indicates that breastfed children cope better with stress later in life. The bonding rather than the breast milk is a likely explanation.

Protection for preemies

Premature babies seem to get a special protection from breastfeeding against both infections and high blood pressure later in life.

Benefits of Breastfeeding For Mom

• Less tired
• Weight loss
• Helps your uterus contract
• Reduced cancer risk
• Protection against osteoporosis
• Simple, cheap and practical

Less tired

Premature babies seem to get a special protection from breastfeeding against both infections and high blood pressure later in life.

Weight loss

Breastfeeding, you'll burn some 500 calories more every day. So unless you "eat for two", the breastfeeding may help you loose some weight. Nice!

Helps your uterus contract

The hormone oxytocin, which is released in your body during breastfeeding helps the contraction of your uterus back to normal. Besides looking pregnant for a shorter time period after giving birth, this also means that you may have a shorter postpartum bleeding.

Reduced cancer risk

Some studies indicate that the risk of getting both breast and ovarian cancer is reduced through breastfeeding. The lower estrogen levels during the period of breastfeeding are likely to play a role.

Protection against osteoporosis

There are conflicting results in different studies regarding breastfeeding and osteoporosis. Mothers do loose some bone density during the period of breastfeeding, but this appears to be reversed after weaning. Some studies indicate of lower incidence of osteoporosis later in life among women that have breastfed.

Simple, cheap and practical

If breastfeeding works, it is very convenient and economical compared to formula. It is also environmentally friendly...

That was a long list of breastfeeding benefits, right?! When I myself did the research to complete this list, I decided to postpone the introduction of solid food for my baby.

But at some point, it is time for solid food. Fun, exiting and greasy. For some baby feeding tips, click here.

If you plan to bottle feed you baby follow this link for some tips to make it easier!

More Breastfeeding Articles

Breastfeeding Tips And Tricks

• Tips for successful breastfeeding
• How to breastfeed in public
• Common breastfeeding problems
• How to bottle-feed your baby
• How to wean your baby from breastfeeding
• Having sex while breastfeeding (yawn...)

Healthy Breastfeeding

• The benefits of breastfeeding
• The magic components of breastmilk
• The taste of breastmilk depends on mom
• What to eat while breastfeeding
• Smoking while breastfeeding
• How to treat baby thrush
• Dealing with mastitis
• The breastfeeding hormones and how they affect you

Looking Good, Feeling Good

• Lose weight while breastfeeding
• Nursing dresses reviews
• How to choose the right nursing-bra
• Nursing tank top reviews

Polls and Stories

• Poll: For how long did you breastfeed?
• Poll:Would you breastfeed in public?
• Poll: What is breastfeeding like for you?
• A mom shares: "Soaked in breastmilk..."
• A mom shares: "How to use a breastmilk cup - learning the hard way"

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