Explains that “there is almost nothing you can do for your child in his whole life that will affect him both emotionally and physically as profoundly as breastfeeding.” Human milk provides the specific nutrients that babies need to grow, both in size and maturity. Your milk is made to order for your baby. Research points to the significant value to infants, mothers, families and the environment from breastfeeding.
1, Breast milk provides ideal nutrition for babies
Most healthcare professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months or much longer.
Breast milk contains everything baby needs for the first 6 months of life, in all the right proportions.
During the first days after birth, your breasts produce a thick and yellowish fluid called colostrum. It’s high in protein, low in sugar, and loaded with beneficial compounds. It’s truly a wonder food and not replaceable by formula.
Colostrum is the ideal first milk and helps the newborn’s immature digestive tract develop. After the first few days, the breasts start producing larger amounts of milk as the baby’s stomach grows.
About the only thing that may be lacking from your magical milk supply is vitamin D.
Unless you have a very high intake (and most of us don’t), your breast milk won’t provide enough. Vitamin D drops are usually recommended.
2, Breast feeding may reduce your baby’s risk for many illnesses and diseases, including:
- Middle ear infections. Breastfeeding, particularly exclusively and as long as possible, may protect against middle ear, throat, and sinus infections well beyond infancyTrusted Source
. - Respiratory tract infections. Breastfeeding can protect against multipleTrusted Source
respiratory and gastrointestinal acute illnesses. - Colds and infections. Babies exclusively breastfed for 6 months may have a lower risk of getting serious colds and ear or throat infections.
- Gut infections. Breastfeeding is linked with a reduction in gut infections.
- Intestinal tissue damage. Feeding preterm babies breast milk is linked with a reduction in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitisTrusted Source
. - Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of SIDS, especially when breastfeeding exclusively.
- Allergic diseases. Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced riskTrusted Source
of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and eczema. - Bowel diseases. Babies who are breastfed may be less likelyTrusted Source
to develop Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. - Diabetes. Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced riskTrusted Source
of developing type 1 diabetes and non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes. - Childhood leukemia. Breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in the risk for childhood leukemiaTrusted Source. 3, Breastfeeding may prevent menstruation Continued breastfeeding also pauses ovulation and menstruation. The suspension of menstrual cycles may actually be nature’s way of ensuring there’s some time between pregnancies. You may consider this change as an extra benefit. While you’re enjoying precious time with your newborn, it’s just one less thing to worry about.
4, Breastfeeding seems to provide you with long-term protection
against cancer and several diseases.
The total time a woman spends breastfeeding is linked with a reduced risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
Women who breastfeed have a lower risk for:
- high blood pressure
- arthritis
- high blood fats
- heart diseaseTrusted Source
- type 2 diabetesTrusted Source
5, Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk for depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that can develop shortly after childbirth.
Women who breastfeed seem less likely to develop postpartum depression, compared to mothers who wean early or do not breastfeed, according to a 2012 study
.
However, those who experience postpartum depression early after delivery are also more likely to have trouble breastfeeding and do so for a shorter duration.
If you have any symptoms of PPD, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
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