Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby and Mother

Breastfeeding, one of the most important acts of motherhood provides a bond of deep love and affection between mother and her newborn baby. This feeding not only is beneficial for baby but is beneficial for the mother too. Here is a concise description about the breastfeeding benefits.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies

1) Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. [Also read: 9 Tips to Increase Breast Milk Supply in Lactating Moms]
2) It has a nearly perfect mix of vitamins, protein, and fat—everything your baby needs to grow and it is more easily digested than infant formula.
3) Breast milk especially Colostrum - contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. 
4) Breastfeeding lowers your baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. 
5) Babies who  are  breastfed  exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula feeds, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, bouts of diarrhea and also have fewer hospitalizations and trips to the doctor.
6) Breastfeeding has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood.
7) The physical closeness and  skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding, all help the baby bond with mother and feel secure. 
8) Breastfed  infants are more likely to gain the right amount of weight as they grow, rather than becoming overweight /obese.
9) Breastfeed is believed to lower the risk of diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers as well (in adulthood)

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mother

1) It helps to burns extra calories, so it can help mothers lose pregnancy weight faster. 
2) It  releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.
3) It  lowers the risk of breast cancer (as much as 25% and directly proportional to duration of breastfeeding  in months/years).
4) It  reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer - due to the cancer-fighting effects of lower estrogen levels during lactation. It is thought that lesser estrogen is available to stimulate the lining of the uterus and perhaps breast tissue, thus reducing the risk of these tissues becoming cancerous.
5) Breastfeed lessens osteoporosis - Non-breastfeeding women have a four times greater chance of developing osteoporosis than breastfeeding  women and are more likely to suffer from hip fractures in the post-menopausal years.
6) Cost/time effective -  No need to buy and measure formula, sterilize nipples, or warm bottles, thus it saves mother's time and money. 
7) Breastfeeding gives regular time to relax quietly with the newborn thus lowering daily stress levels .Studies show that  breastfeeding mothers show less postpartum anxiety and depression than formula-feeding mothers.
8) Natural Child-spacing - Breastfeed delays ovulation, thus more longer a mother breastfeeds, more she is able to practice natural child spacing, if she desires.

Enjoy the mother child bonding!