Benefits of Breastfeeding

Experts usually recommend breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first 6 months after birth. Many people think that this is beneficial for the baby only. Contrary to this belief, breastfeeding is as advantageous for you, the mother, as it is for your baby.

Take a look at these benefits you get from breastfeeding:

1. Lower risk of ovarian or breast cancer. Research has shown that women who breastfeed their babies are less likely to develop breast cancer or ovarian cancer later in life.
2. It’s a great way to lose pregnancy fat. Milk production can burn up to 500 calories a day. Therefore, you are going to have an easy time losing pregnancy weight if you are breastfeeding.
3. Lowers risk of osteoporosis. When lactating, your body is more efficient at absorbing calcium. This means that even though your spine and hip bones may be less dense at weaning, they will eventually be denser than what they were before pregnancy, effectively lowering your risk of osteoporosis during menopause.
4. Helps your body heal faster. Breastfeeding hastens your healing process. As your baby lactates, your body produces oxytocin. This reduces chances of losing blood after delivery and helps contract your uterus, returning it to normal size in 6 weeks compared to 10 weeks if you are not breastfeeding.
5. Delays menstruation. Exclusively breastfeeding your baby will delay your ovulation, thus delaying your menstruation cycle. The prolactin released when breastfeeding is associated with this because it inhibits production of estrogen and progesterone, which are associated with ovulation.
6. Grows your bond with your baby. This is by far, one of the biggest benefits of breastfeeding your baby. You get to enjoy moments of intimate bonding that cannot be experienced in any other place. As your baby breastfeeds, the two of you exchange looks, cuddles, and communicate with each other. Watching your baby grow on your breastmilk is going to give you a deep feeling of fulfillment, more than you’ve ever experienced.
7. Helps you save money. Generally, choosing to breastfeed your baby will cost a fraction of what you would spend if you were to use formula. For starters, breastfeeding is absolutely free while the formula is not. Even if you were to buy a breast pump, nursing bras, and nursing pillows, what you spend cannot compare to the cost of formula.

There are a lot more benefits you can expect to experience when you breastfeed your baby. The ones in this list are a few of the more obvious ones. Exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first 6 months actually has more benefits for both of you, and should not be seen as a burden. We hope that this article will encourage you to try providing breastmilk to your child as much as you can. Seek professional help from qualified lactation consultants in ensuring that your breastfeeding journey is a smooth and enjoyable one! .