Thursday

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding

By Randy Barry

As a new parent, you often ask if bottle-feeding is better than breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding is something you should know about while you're weighing your options. You may be surprised by all of the advantages provided by Mother Nature.

Breast milk is not just food. Because it's made of living cells, it can provide huge benefits for the health of your child. Breast milk has crucial components, one of them being colostrums. Produced early in your baby's life, this substance has antibodies which help the immune system of your baby develop. Breastfeeding can provide your baby with this protection and it can't be matched by a commercial formula.

On top of the immune boost that breastfeeding provides, breast milk is also easier for your baby's developing digestive system to process. Your baby will have fewer problems with constipation, diarrhea, and even have fewer food allergies.

Breastfeeding also helps your baby's brain to develop because it's rich in fatty acids that protect the cells of the brain. It also provides protein for building muscle tissue, which means it's helpful for developing strong muscles. Finally, in a time when obesity is a major health problem around the world, breastfeeding can be a great way to help your child maintain a healthy weight. Babies who are breast-fed have a smaller chance of becoming obese later in life.

Breastfeeding can also have a great effect on your body. If you choose to breast feed, you'll open up a world of benefits for now and for the long-term. The immediate benefits of breastfeeding can be very powerful. After you give birth, breastfeeding actually stimulates the contractions that help you expel the placenta. It can help your body to recover more quickly and painlessly.

Burning a lot of calories is another advantage of breastfeeding. What better way to burn off the baby weight without having to hit the gym? It will also prevent your body from having a period for several months if you feed your baby exclusively breast milk. Another thing you should know is that breastfeeding provides a natural method of contraception. Breastfeeding, in the long term, also gives disease prevention power. Lowering the risk of developing breast and other cancer also comes from breastfeeding your baby. They're also less likely to have problems related to osteoporosis.

The benefit for both the mother and the baby is one of the best reasons for breastfeeding. When you breastfeed your baby, you help to develop the bond between the two of you. Comfort and improved mental health will also be provided for both of you. When you're weighing the decision of whether to bottle feed or breastfeed, make sure to consider the overall well being that comes from this natural process.

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