• Baby Care
• Baby on the Way
• Breastfeeding
• Prenatal Care

Breastfeeding Benefits Every Mom Should Know

If you’re expecting a baby, the time to think about breastfeeding is now. When you choose to breastfeed, you’re giving your baby a healthy start on life. And you may be surprised to learn that you’ll benefit, too.

If you decide to breastfeed, you’ll put yourself on the fast track to full health and healing after childbirth.

Healthiest for Baby

Not only does breastfeeding help create a special bond between you and your baby, it offers your baby extra protection against common infections and more dangerous conditions. Your breast milk:

• Contains antibodies that help your baby fight infection and other diseases. It can lower the risk for lung and ear infections.
• Is easier for your baby to digest
• Provides just the right mix of nutrients for your baby’s growth. In fact, breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores.
• Lowers the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Cuts your baby’s risk for allergies and skin problems triggered by allergies, like eczema
• Means your baby may have less diarrhea and vomiting, and be less likely to have digestive infections
• Makes it less likely that your baby will be obese or have diabetes as an adult

Healthiest for You

If you decide to breastfeed, you’ll put yourself on the fast track to full health and healing after childbirth. Breastfeeding:

• Burns calories, which means you’ll fit into your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans faster
• Helps your uterus contract, which decreases post-delivery bleeding and shrinks it to its normal size more quickly
• Lowers your risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer
• Lessens your risk of getting diabetes later in life
• Delays the return of your period, which helps keep iron in your body
• Makes your life easier because there is no formula to buy or bottles to warm in the middle of the night
• Saves you money. Formula and feeding supplies can cost more than $1,500 each year.
• Keeps you and your baby close. Newborns need physical contact; it helps them feel secure, warm and comforted. And skin-to-skin contact will boost hormones that help breast milk flow and make you feel calmer.

Source: Womenshealth.gov; Healthychildren.org