It's no exaggeration to say that breast milk is nature's perfect food. Just as cow's milk is the ideal source of nourishment for calves, and goat's milk is the best meal for kids (of the goat variety), breast milk is exquisitely tailored to meet the nutritional needs of a newborn baby. Here are the many advantages of breastfeeding for your little one and yourself.
Benefits of breastfeeding for babies
Excellent nourishment
Breast milk is designed for a baby’s brand-new digestive system. The protein and fat in your milk are easier for your baby to digest than those in cow’s milk formula, and its micronutrients are easily absorbed. And unlike formula, which is the same from feeding to feeding and can to can, the milk your body makes changes in composition in response to your baby’s needs.
Protection against infections
Every time your baby nurses, he gets a healthy dose of your antibodies, which helps boost his immunity against colds, ear infections, respiratory tract infections and other common childhood illnesses. Especially during the first 6 months, your antibody-rich milk also helps protect your little one from diseases that he hasn’t yet been immunized for, like influenza and whooping cough.
Reduced risk of SIDS
Breastfeeding for at least two months cuts the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by nearly 50 percent, research shows. While the reasons why aren’t fully understood, it’s thought that breastfed babies rouse from sleep more easily. The added immune protections may also play a role.
Improved digestion
Since it’s designed for your little one’s belly, breast milk goes down easier — and stays down better. Breastfeed newborns are less likely to suffer from constipation or diarrhea compared to babies who drink formula. And milk that’s easier to digest translates to poops that smell (a little) better, too.
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Healthier weight gain
Breastfeeding lets your baby’s appetite call the shots. A breastfed baby is likely to stop feeding when full, while a bottle-fed infant may be encouraged to continue until the bottle is empty. What’s more, the lower-calorie foremilk served at the start of a feed is designed as a thirst quencher, while the higher-calorie hindmilk served at the end of a feed is a filler-upper that signals it's quitting time.
A brain boost
Several studies show a slight, but statistically significant, increase in the IQ of breastfed babies and larger brain size compared with those fed formula as children. One possible reason? Breast milk contains key nutrients for brain development — including arachidonic acids, cholesterol and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA — along with hormones like oxytocin.
Breastfed babies also get hours of skin-on-skin contact, which, in addition to making an infant feel nurtured and safe, supports intellectual development. (Of course, bottle-feeding parents can tap into this benefit too by keeping close during feeds and even doing skin-to-skin feeds.)
Good dental and oral health
Rubber and silicone nipples offer less resistance to a baby's sucks compared with the breast. Because they have to work extra hard for their meals, breastfed babies build stronger jaws, gums and palates, all of which helps with optimum oral development.
A naturally safe meal
There’s no need to worry about contamination or recalls when it comes to fresh breast milk — it’s always sterile. And spoilage is only a potential factor for pumped milk that sits out or is refrigerated for too long.
More adventurous taste buds
Want your baby to be an open-minded eater? Start at the breast. Beginning those taste buds on breast milk, which takes on a slight flavor of whatever you’re eating, acclimates a baby early on to a whole world of flavors.
Researchers (and moms) have found that nursed babies are less likely to be timid in their tastes than their formula-fed peers once they graduate to solids.
Benefits of breastfeeding for moms
Your baby isn’t the only one reaping big benefits from breastfeeding. There are plenty of important perks for you too.
Improved postpartum recovery
When a baby sucks on your breast, it triggers the release of oxytocin, the "feel-good" hormone that encourages your uterus to shrink down to its pre-pregnancy size. That, in turn, reduces the flow of lochia and curbs blood loss.
That’s not all. Since breastfeeding burns between 300 and 500 extra calories every day, it may help you to lose pregnancy weight faster — and even help you maintain a healthy weight down the road.
Sheer convenience
Nursing means you can usually leave the house without baby bottles, nipples, cleaning supplies and other accessories. You can also forget about 2 a.m. trips to the kitchen for a formula refill; late-night feedings require just an easy-access nightie and a cozy, sleepy snuggle with your little one. (Just make sure you don't fall asleep while breastfeeding — always put your baby back in his crib once you're finished.)
Plus, once you and your baby become nursing pros, you’ll be able to do just about anything else at the same time, from eating your own dinner to playing with your toddler.
Built-in bonding
For many mothers, that physical and emotional connection they get from nursing their babies is the ultimate benefit. (That's not to say that you won't bond with your child while bottle-feeding, however. It just might be in a different way.)
Possible health protections down the road
Breastfeeding may slightly reduce your risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancers later in life. It can also lower your future odds for chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.
A longer period-free period
Most breastfeeding moms begin to ovulate 4 to 6 months after giving birth, but some women find that their periods don’t come back for much longer — in some cases, as long as 9 to 18 months. Even so, you shouldn’t rely on breastfeeding as a form of contraception. Unless you’re hoping to get pregnant again very soon, talk with your OB/GYN about your birth control options, ideally, before giving birth.
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