Why Breast is Always Best for your Baby

Articles on Baby | Topics: baby, babies, infants, infant

by Laveda Irwin

Breast is best for your baby. Your mom says it. Your doctor says it. The lactation consultant says it. Even the cans of formula mention it. But have you ever wondered why? Here are just some of the reasons that breast is best for your baby and you.

Breast milk is easier on both of you. It is easier to digest than formula, so your baby gets more of the nutrients from it. Breast milk is always ready to go: no mixing, bottling, or heating required. It is easier to take with you – no extra supplies are needed, no diaper bag full of bottles and containers of formula. For that middle of the night feeding it is just the lifting up of your shirt and baby is ready to go –which means both of you can get back to sleep faster. Baby spends less time crying and swallowing air, which means less burping and gas discomforts later on. It is more budget-friendly as well – the cost of 300-500 extra calories a day for mom is much less than the cost of formula – approximately $1200 per year. Breast milk is also all-natural – it has all the protein, carbohydrates, and nutrients that your baby needs without any chemicals, pesticides, or additives added to it. And you never have to worry that some new found ingredient would come up that your baby needs and is not included in breast milk. Not to mention it is always on hand, so no last minute trips to the store when you run out.

Breast milk gives your baby every physical advantage. Breast milk helps with brain development. Breastfed babies score higher in I.Q. tests later in life. It contains the antibodies for disease to help protect your baby and boost the development of the immune system. Breastfed babies are protected from everything from pneumonia to influenza to measles to diarrhea. It protects against respiratory infections and bacterial meningitis. It protects against Crohn's disease, a difficult to treat bowel disorder. It has also been linked in the prevention of certain childhood cancers, allergies, obesity, and asthma. With all this protection against diseases it also results in less trips to the doctor, which means less health care costs and fewer missed workdays for mom and dad.

Breastfeeding also gives your baby social advantages. It ensures that baby will get the bonding time that it need from mom with skin-to-skin contact. Babies who are breastfed grow up to be better adjusted as children. They tend to be more outgoing and social. Skin to skin contact with mom from nursing can also help preemie babies grow and thrive.

Historical Quote

If you desire to drain to the dregs the fullest cup of scorn and hatred that a fellow human being can pour out for you, let a young mother hear you call dear baby “it.”

—Jerome K. Jerome (1859–1927)

Baby is not alone in the benefits of breast-feeding – nursing moms get benefits, too. Remember, your body has spent the last nine months getting ready for this. Breastfeeding has been linked to a decreased risk of cancer, including those of the breasts, ovaries and the uterus. It decreases the chance of osteoporosis later in life. It helps mom get back into her original shape after pregnancy – the suckling helps to shrink the uterus and prevent hemorrhaging, and the calories burned help to speed weight loss. It can also delay ovulation in new moms, helping prevent a future pregnancy, but should not be used as the only form of a contraceptive. In the meantime, mom gets a temporary reprieve from her monthly cycle. Many moms also get a great sense of contentment that they are doing what is right and natural for their babies.

Breastfeeding also does not have to be an all or nothing sort of deal. You can buy a pump and make bottles so that dad or other family members can help feed baby. You can supplement with formula if you would like. Even if you breastfeed only for a short amount of time it can make a big difference to your baby.

Breastfeeding is good for everyone. Reduced trips to the doctor office mean lower health care costs nationwide. Employers actually get more work time out of their employees since mom or dad does not have to take as many sick days to care for the baby. Breast milk does not come with packaging to fill up landfills.

Breastfeeding is something that you can do with confidence knowing that you are doing what is best for your baby.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Why Breast is Always Best for your Baby" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FamilyBabyKids.com.

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