Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby

Breast milk is love, warmth, and nutrition all rolled into one. It is an elixir of life, a gift of nature to the mother and her child. The benefits of breastfeeding provide abundant nutritional components, antioxidants, enzymes, and live antibodies to your baby. Your mature immune system makes antibodies, which enter your breast milk and are eventually passed on to your baby to protect them from illness and germs. Moreover, the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers also contain substances that naturally soothe infants.

However, the benefits of breastfeeding are not limited to your baby. This magical potion has ample health benefits for moms as well. So if you are considering not nursing your newborn baby or probably are in a double mind, you have landed on the right page. While it is ultimately your choice to breastfeed your baby, we are here to provide you with the endless benefits of breastfeeding and breastfeeding tips. So continue to read further to gain detailed insights!

Duration of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is an essential aspect of motherhood that benefits both the baby and you. While it is a personal choice to breastfeed your baby, many medical experts strongly recommend breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months (1). However, breastfeeding your child directly can be challenging in this modern world and with lifestyle changes.

So, breast milk pumping and feeding through the bottle is ideal for all mothers on the go. Furthermore, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding until 2 years or longer for its prolonged benefits. Only some mothers are blessed with an uninterrupted breastmilk supply. So, if you need help with supply issues, check out these natural foods to increase your breast milk.

Benefits Of Breastfeeding for Mom

Let us take a look at the health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers out there -

1. Helps to Lose Weight -

While you may have heard that some women gain weight during breastfeeding, others lose weight effortlessly. However, breastfeeding tips surely do burn calories, and after 3 months of continuous lactation, you are likely to experience an increased fat burn compared to non-lactating mothers.

2. Helps Uterus to Contract -

Your uterus grows and expands in size during each trimester of pregnancy and almost fills the entire space in your abdomen. However, after delivery, your uterus grows through involution, which enables it to return to its original size. And oxytocin, a pregnancy hormone, helps drive this process. Oxytocin increases during breastfeeding and can encourage uterus contractions, thereby reducing bleeding and helping the uterus to return to its original size. Hence this is one of the essential benefits of breastfeeding for mothers.

3. Lowers Risk of Depression -

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that is developed shortly after childbirth. Studies suggest breastfeeding women seem less likely to develop postpartum depression than non-nursing mothers.

4. Reduces Risk of Diseases -

One of the many benefits of breastfeeding is that it protects you long-term against several diseases and cancer. The time spent by women in breastfeeding is directly linked to the reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It helps to lower the risk for -

A • high blood pressure
B • arthritis
C • high blood fats
D • heart disease
E • type 2 diabetes

Advantages of Breastfeeding for Baby

Let us take a look at the health benefits of breastfeeding for all your little ones -

1. Provides Ideal Nutrition -

Breast Milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs for the first 6 months of life in the correct proportions. The composition of breastmilk even changes according to your baby's needs. For instance, during the first few days after birth, your breasts produce a thick yellowish fluid called the colostrum. This fluid is high in proteins, low in sugar, and is a wonder food for your baby. However, after the first few days, your breasts produce more significant amounts of milk as your baby's appetite grows.

2. Provides Important Antibodies -

Breast milk has antibodies that help your baby fight bacteria and viruses. The colostrum, the first milk, provides high amounts of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and several other antibodies. IgA protects a baby from getting sick by forming a protective layer in your baby's nose, throat, and digestive system.

3. Reduces Risk of Diseases -

The importance of breastfeeding is relatively high as, like you, breast milk reduces the risk of several diseases even in your baby. It may reduce the risk of many illnesses, including the following -

A • Middle ear infections
B • Respiratory tract infections
C • Colds and infections
D • Gut infections
E • Intestinal tissue damage
F • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

4. Promotes Healthy Weight -

Breastfeeding promotes healthy weight gain and prevents chances of childhood obesity. Breastfed babies have higher amounts of beneficial gut bacteria, which impact their fat storage.

Breastfeeding Tips

Just before we end this article, we have a bunch of essential breastfeeding tips for you-

1. Create a space for breastfeeding -

Before the baby arrives, you can create a nursing station, which is an area with a comfortable chair, a breastfeeding pillow, a breastfeeding cover, breastfeeding pads, burp clothes, and a good book. A well-equipped space makes breastfeeding a more straightforward process.

Pro-Tip - Now, breastfeed your baby in style indoors and outdoors comfortably with our trending SuperBottoms breastfeeding pads. Thoughtfully designed, these Dry Feel Nursing Pad come in conical-shaped with 5 layers of cotton padding and a printed waterproof layer on the top to provide maximum comfort.

2. Get yourself the right nursing supplies -

Just as getting essential baby care is crucial, buying the right nursing supplies, like breastfeeding pads, is equally important. Here are a few supplies that can make your breastfeeding experience easier -

A • A well-fitting nursing bra gives your breasts the right support level and helps you feed the baby without completely undressing.
B • Breastfeeding or Nursing pads are handy when your breasts leak a little milk occasionally. However, please avoid using the plastic liner as it can irritate your nipples.
C • Instead, go for SuperBottoms nursing breast pads with a waterproof layer on the top, a Superdry feel layer on the inside, and 5 layers of cotton to provide utmost comfort.
You can get yourself a comfortable nursing pillow.

3. Learn different ways to latch -

Your baby needs to "latch on" to breastfeed. This is when your baby is properly latched to your breast with their mouth open over your nipples, covering most of your areola, and their nose, lips, and chin are close to your breast.

In Conclusions:

In conclusion, breastfeeding is one of the most important things a mother can do for her baby. It not only provides optimal nutrition for the baby, but it also has numerous benefits for the mother as well. The benefits of breastfeeding can help to establish a strong bond between mother and baby, boost the baby's immune system, promote healthy growth and development, and even help the mother to lose weight and improve her mental health. Overall, breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful way for a mother to provide her baby with the best start in life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1. What are the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby?

Ans: Breastfeeding provides a range of benefits for the baby, including optimal nutrition, protection against infections and illnesses, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases later in life.

Q2. What are the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother?

Ans: Breastfeeding tips can help to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, improve mental health and wellbeing, promote postpartum weight loss, and strengthen the bond between mother and baby.

Q3. What if I have difficulties with breastfeeding?

Ans: Many new mothers experience challenges with breastfeeding, but there are resources and support available. Seek help from a lactation consultant or breastfeeding support group for guidance and assistance.

Message From SuperBottoms

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