Importance and Benefits of Breastfeeding for Both Mom and Baby

Most new moms ponder the question of whether to breastfeed their baby or not and if yes, then for how long. There is no denying that breastfeeding will affect your lifestyle but it is more than just a lifestyle decision. Breastfeeding is an investment in the safe future of your child. The importance of breastfeeding cannot be stressed enough by doctors and health agencies because of the numerous benefits it has for both you and your baby.

In this article, we discuss the importance of breastfeeding and the advantages of breastfeeding for both moms and babies.

Importance of Breastfeeding for Baby

Breastmilk is the perfect and only food your baby needs for the first six months of life. It is uniquely tailored to meet every need of your growing baby. The composition of your breastmilk changes with time according to your baby’s changing needs. By breastfeeding your little one, you can provide the ideal nutrition to your baby and protect them from numerous diseases and infections.

Importance of Breastfeeding for Mom

Breastfeeding is a special act of bonding only you and your baby can share. Besides strengthening the bond between mother and child, breastfeeding helps new moms to recover quicker and return to their pre-pregnancy shape. Additionally, breastfeeding eliminates the need to invest in formula milk, baby bottles and sterilisers. Moreover, breastmilk is always available at the right temperature and has no waste. You can invest in some lovely Maternity dresses so that you can comfortably breastfeed your baby. You can also use a Manual Breast Pump to draw the breast milk for later use.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Baby

Here are 5 science and research-backed benefits of breastfeeding for baby:

1. Boosts Physical & Mental Development

Breastmilk consists of ideal nutrition for your baby. It is rich in protein, which helps in physical development and is loaded with beneficial compounds that help in the growth of your baby. It also helps in the cerebral development of the babies and makes them smarter and more intelligent.

2. Strengthens Immune System

The immune system of newborns is underdeveloped and extremely vulnerable to diseases and infections. Breastmilk contains helpful antibodies that strengthen the immune system of your baby. It helps the baby in battling various viruses and bacteria and hence, prevents infections.

3. Reduces Risk of Several Diseases

Breastmilk protects your baby from diseases and infections like asthma, obesity, Type 1 diabetes, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and diarrhea and vomiting by enhancing their overall health and lowering illness capacity.

4. Promotes a Healthy Body Weight

The baby gains a healthy weight with the consumption of breast milk. It helps in the prevention of childhood obesity and promotes healthy body weight. According to certain studies, breastfed babies have lower chances of becoming overweight or obese.

5. Ideal Nutrition & Food Choice

Mothers are told to breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months of life because breastmilk is the only perfect food for babies. It contains all the essential nutrients and vitamins a baby needs. Additionally, breastmilk is 100% natural, safe and easy-to-digest. As a result, it helps to prevent constipation, diarrhea and upset stomach in babies.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom

Here are 5 science and research-backed benefits of breastfeeding for mom:

1. Aids in Postpartum Weight Loss

Women tend to gain 10-15 kg of weight during their pregnancy. And even after childbirth, they are likely to gain more weight. Since most women gain weight after the delivery of their baby, breastfeeding by burning calories ensures that women lose weight more quickly after birth.

2. Lowers Risk of Several Diseases

Just as breastmilk lowers the risk of diseases and infections in babies, breastfeeding also helps to protect the mother from various diseases. Breastfeeding reduces their risk of being prone to different conditions such as type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and more.

3. Accelerates Recovery from Childbirth

During pregnancy, a mother’s body stretches to its maximum, especially the uterine and abdominal area. Breastfeeding helps to increase the production of oxytocin in the body, which accelerates the process of recovery and helps to body return to its previous shape. It encourages the uterus to contract and also reduces any bleeding.

4. May Keep Postpartum Depression at Bay

According to several studies, breastfeeding reduces the risk of post-delivery depression in new moms. Breastfeeding enhances the secretion of soothing hormones in the mother's body, which helps improve their mood and promote positive feelings in the nursing mother.

5. Strengthens the Bond Between Mom & Baby

Only mothers have the ability to breastfeed their babies, which helps to develop a close and unique bond between the mother and her baby. Breastfeeding provides a mother with a sense of maternal fulfilment and strengthens the bond between the mother and the child.

Conclusion

During breastfeeding, it is imperative for the mother to feel comfortable. It is advised that a mother uses a pregnancy pillow when she breastfeeds her baby. Also, the process of breastfeeding may exhaust the nursing mother, and proper rest is crucial for them, which is ensured by the use of a pregnancy pillow. It helps in getting them adequate sleep and posture for enhanced mood and a stable routine.

Breastfeeding is a magical feeling and an act of love and compassion for a mother towards her baby. The importance of breastfeeding and its numerous benefits will surely empower you as a mother to nourish your child with the goodness of breastmilk.

References

Kalarikkal, S. M., & Pfleghaar, J. L. (2022). Breastfeeding. Retrieved from PubMed website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534767/#:~:text=There%20is%20ample%20evidence%20showing

Lyons, K. E., Ryan, C. A., Dempsey, E. M., Ross, R. P., & Stanton, C. (2020). Breast Milk, a Source of Beneficial Microbes and Associated Benefits for Infant Health. Nutrients, 12(4), 1039. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041039

Shah, R., Sabir, S., & Alhawaj, A. F. (2021). Physiology, Breast Milk. Retrieved from PubMed website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539790