Most mothers-to-be do a lot of research about the best options for their newborns- and breastfeeding is a major point of debate. Most sources and research will suggest that mothers try to breastfeed if possible (if for whatever reason a mother cannot breastfeed, there are always viable options). Here are the Benefits of Breastfeeding:
- Importance in the first few months: the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences showed that children who breastfeed have a 20% lower risk of dying between the ages of 28 days and 1 year.
- Disease Resistance: Breast-fed children are more resistant to disease and infection early in life because of the Immunoglobin A (IgA) found in the first type of breast milk produced by the mother.
- Health Effects up to age 15: Breast-fed children are less likely to contract a number of illnesses later in life, including heart disease, juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.
- Good for the Mother: women who breastfeed are more able to lose baby weight, less likely to develop osteoporosis later in life, and have a lower risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer.
- Breastmilk is Adaptive: whatever the mother is exposed to in terms of virus and bacteria will automatically generate specific IgA’s for those pathogens, so the baby is protected to whatever the mother may be exposed to.
- Helps with Allergies: babies who are fed a formula based on cow’s milk or soy tend to have more allergic reactions than breastfed babies.
- Boosts Intelligence: In a study conducted on more than 17,000 infants followed from birth to 6 1/2 years, researchers concluded from IQ scores and other intelligence tests that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding significantly improves cognitive development.
- Emotional Bonding: According to psychologists, the emotional bonding between the mother and the child during breastfeeding plays a part on the social development of the child later on.
- Cavity Protection: Infants who are breastfed longer have less cavities later in life.
- Curbs Obesity: Breastfed children are 20-30% less likely to become obese later in life.
- Saves Money: Mothers who breastfeed save an average of $800 per year by not buying formula.
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