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The Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Mother And Child

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Woman breastfeeding

In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child.

We understand that breastfeeding isn’t always an option for mothers for a variety of reasons, but it is extremely beneficial for both mother and child, so if it’s something you are able to do, we strongly recommend that you try to breastfeed your child.

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Your New Baby

Let’s start by looking at the all the ways your child stands to benefit from breastfeeding:

  • Better Source Of Nutrients – Baby formula is an amazing alternative, but it simply cannot provide the same amount of nutrients as breast milk.

  • Immunity And Illness Protection – Breast milk helps boost your child’s immune system and can reduce their risk of certain illnesses and health conditions. Research has shown that as little as two months of breastfeeding can cut a child’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in half, and it can also reduce their risk of developing certain allergies.

  • Supports Healthy Development – Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is found in breast milk, has been shown to help support healthy brain development.

  • Calming and Soothing – Your child will be nuzzled in close while breastfeeding, and the warmth of your skin and the feel of your heartbeat can be calming for your child. This skin-to-skin contact also helps to foster an even stronger bond between mother and child.

  • Helps Them Sleep – When your child is hungry in the middle of the night, you hope they fall back asleep after they are done eating. Research has found that oxytocin that is produced in your baby’s body when they breastfeed helps them feel sleepy afterwards, and hormones in your milk help your baby develop a healthy circadian rhythm, both of which can help them fall back asleep.

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Mothers

Breastfeeding isn’t just beneficial to the child, it also has some perks for mom. Here’s why:

  • Aids In Recovery – Hormones that are produced and released during breastfeeding can help your uterus return to a normal size more quickly, and they can help to reduce postpartum bleeding.

  • Illness Prevention – Research has found that hormonal changes during breastfeeding can help to protect against a number of different health conditions, including certain cancers. It can also reduce your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures when you get older.

  • Reduce Risk Of PPD – Breastfeeding can help lower your risk of postpartum depression because it allows your body to more slowly reduce certain pregnancy hormones as opposed to the more abrupt stop in hormone production that occurs when not breastfeeding.

  • Always On Hand – You don’t have to make sure you have water and formula on hand if you leave the house, because you always have breast milk with you wherever you go.

  • Free – Feeding your newborn is one less expense you have to manage if you are able to breastfeed.

  • Convenient – Breastfeeding is super convenient. You’re not constantly washing bottles, and you can breastfeed anywhere and anytime when your child gets hungry.

Again, we know that breastfeeding isn’t always an option, but if you are on the fence about which feeding method to pursue, we strongly recommend that you give breastfeeding a try. It can be so beneficial for both you and your new baby! If you need help with any aspect of breastfeeding, like getting your child to latch or increasing your milk production, reach out to the team at MetroPartners OBGYN today at (651) 770-3320.