If you’re a mother trying to decide whether or not to breastfeed your baby, there are many reasons to consider it. Not only is breastfeeding good for mom and baby alike, but it’s free and has no side effects. Below are six reasons why nursing your baby is the best way to provide nutrition:
1. Breast milk is custom-made for your baby.
- Breast milk is custom-made for your baby.
It’s true that breast milk contains the perfect blend of nutrients for your baby, as well as antibodies that help them fight infections and digest food more easily than if they were to drink formula instead.
2. Breastfeeding creates a special bond with your baby.
Breastfeeding is a special time for mother and baby. It is a time of intimacy, bonding and joy. Breastfeeding can help you bond with your baby in the following ways:
- You will learn to be patient with your child. Because breastfeeding takes time, it requires patience from both the mother and baby. This can teach you to be more patient with yourself and others when things do not go as planned or expected.
- It will give you an opportunity to get close to your baby physically and emotionally through skin-to-skin contact, eye contact, touch and talking (or singing). This closeness helps form an attachment between mother and child which continues throughout life!
3. Breastfed babies get sick less often.
- Breastfed babies get sick less often.
This is one of the main benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby. The antibodies passed from mom to her baby through breast milk help protect your little one from illness by strengthening his or her immune system. These antibodies can also help prevent the spread of illness to others in your household who aren’t breastfeeding since they never pass through your system. You’ve probably heard about how breast milk can help prevent food poisoning and diarrhea in newborns, but did you know that these benefits last well into childhood? However, keep in mind that there are no guarantees when it comes to avoiding sicknesses like these—and this isn’t an excuse not to wash your hands!
4. Breast milk is easier to digest than formula.
Breast milk is easier to digest than formula. Formula has a long list of ingredients, which can cause allergies in some babies.
It also has to be mixed with water and then heated, which can affect its taste.
5. Breastfeeding appears to help boost your baby’s intelligence, especially in premature babies and those who have a low birth weight.
- Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores.
- Breastfed babies have a lower risk of obesity and diabetes later in life.
- Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese as adults.
- Breastfed babies are less likely to develop allergies (including asthma), even if they were born prematurely or had low birth weight.
6. Breastfeeding can be good for mom, too
- Breastfeeding can be good for mom, too
Aside from the obvious benefits to your baby and bonding time, breastfeeding has many other perks that will make you feel great as a new mom. Here are just a few:
- Losing the baby weight
- Getting your pre-pregnancy body back
- Avoiding infections and diseases like cancer and diabetes
- Fighting heart disease and osteoporosis
Mothers should consider breastfeeding their children
The benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby are numerous:
- Breastfeeding is good for babies, mothers, and the environment.
- Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your baby. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (no other source of food or drink) until six months, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years or beyond.
- Breastfeeding is easy to learn and can be done anywhere (during a movie, while traveling). It’s also free! No bottles, jars or cans needed here!
- Breastfeeding is a great way to bond with your baby—they have been bonding to you since they were in utero!
Conclusion
In conclusion, breastfeeding is one of the best ways to feed your baby. It is one of the healthiest things you can do for your child and it creates a special bond between mother and baby. Studies show that the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby are numerous, including less illness for babies who breastfeed as well as mothers who breastfeed longer than six months showing improved IQ scores later in life.