Advantages of breastfeeding
The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends you exclusively breastfeed your baby for his first six months, and if you choose to breastfeed you can be sure he’ll be receiving all the nutrients and vitamins he needs to grow and thrive during the first six months of his life, as well as gaining vital antibodies that protect him against disease. And it’s good for you too!
Why it’s good for your baby…
• It’s nutritionally complete As yet, no infant feeding formula has managed to replicate all of its components. The main difference between formula and breast milk is that breast milk is a ‘live’ liquid, full of antibodies that help fight infections that might come your baby’s way as well as containing active cells that work to soak up viruses and any bacteria he might come into contact with. Even if you only breastfed once after your baby’s birth and then switch over to formula, he’ll still receive a vital dose of antibodies? that will boost and support his immature immune system.
• It’s healthier Breastfed babies suffer fewer gastrointestinal upsets than bottlefed babies and are less likely to suffer from vomiting and diarrhea. Breastfeeding also cuts the risk of allergies, eczema, ear infections, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections and childhood leukemia. Older children who weren’t breastfed have been shown to be at higher risk of obesity, type 1 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. And as well as all that, children who were breastfed for six months or longer score better when it comes to IQ.
• It’s on tap It’s always there, readily available and served at the correct temperature – a real bonus when your baby is crying to be fed!
• It’s free Breastfeeding doesn’t cost anything, unlike bottlefeeding, and with no packaging or transportation issues it’s good for the environment too!
Why it’s good for you…
• It can help you shed baby weight It’s hard work manufacturing all that breast milk and your body burns through a whole lot of calories to do it. One of the reasons you lay on weight in pregnancy is in order that you’ll be able to feed your baby – if you don’t, it’ll be harder to shift those extra pounds.
• It speeds your recovery Breastfeeding stimulates your body’s production of the hormone oxytocin. This helps your uterus contract back down to its pre-pregnancy size after the birth, meaning less bleeding in the weeks after the delivery; and it’s also thought to help you relax, reducing your stress levels.
• It can help you bond Nothing beats a good breastfeeding experience for helping you bond with your baby.
• It’s healthy for you too Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis, breast cancer and cancer of the ovaries.
But what if you don’t want to breastfeed, or can’t?
Breastfeeding isn’t for everyone – health or practical reasons can make it difficult. Our advice is to give it a try – and if you’re finding it uncomfortable, don’t give up without getting help from a lactation counselor, as any problems are often easily solved by changing your latching-on technique. Another option is to express your breast milk and give it to your baby in a bottle.
But don’t beat yourself up about switching to infant formula – your baby will benefit from even just a couple of feeds from you after he’s born. He’ll still develop and grow as normal on formula, and strict hygiene when it comes to washing and sterilizing bottles and nipples can help protect him from stomach upsets. And your bond with him will be just as strong as if you breastfed.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 09/06/2008
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