How To Understand the Benefits of Breast Feeding

Breast feeding your newborn baby is a very important health choice. It plays a vital role in a baby's development and well being. There are a lot of benefits of breast milk not just for the babies, but for the mothers as well. It can also be beneficial to our society and environment.

Here are a few of the advantages of breast feeding.

1. Breast milk contains disease-fighting cells called antibodies. These antibodies protect infants from illnesses, germs and diseases. Baby formulas can never match the chemical composition of human milk. Especially important are the hormones, cells and antibodies it is made up of.
2. Breast feeding is a proven way of lowering the risk of diarrhea, respiratory infections, obesity and diabetes in infants. It is also a way to prevent breast cancer, ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes for lactating mothers.
3. Only breast milk can produce colostrum, a thick yellow substance that is created during pregnancy. It is essential for a baby to be breastfed right after birth to ensure the best start at life. Colostrum is also called "liquid gold". It contains a very rich supply of antibodies and nutrients that help protect your baby during their first few weeks.
4. Breast milk changes over time to meet your baby's growing needs. It automatically adjusts the amount of fat, water, protein and sugar in the milk. This ensures that the baby receives the right amount of nutrients for their body while they grow.
5. Breast milk is easier to digest than infant formula. Babies take time to digest the proteins in infant formulas because they are made from cow's milk.
6. Breast milk eliminates the use of sterilized bottles and nipples. You won't have to warm bottles every night before you can prepare your baby's milk. Breast milk also has a smaller chance of being contaminated than an infant formula.
7. According to studies, breast feeding can save you an average of $2,500 every year for infant formulas.
8. Breast feeding can satisfy a child's hunger right away.
9. Breast feeding promotes a tighter bond between the baby and her mother. Physical contact is very important to a newborn. It can help them feel warm, comforted and more secure.
10. Children who were breastfed in their early life have a significantly higher IQ than those who grew up with infant formulas.
11. Infants who were breastfed showed a better response to vaccines than those who were formula fed.
12. Breast feeding minimizes health care costs. Most babies that are breastfed in their early life have fewer doctor visits and hospitalizations.
13. Breast feeding can also help save our environment. Because it does not consume plastics that are produced by bottle supplies and formula cans.

It is recommended that babies be breast fed during their first six months. It is even better if you continue breast feeding up until the child is one year old. You can use products such as breast pumps if you are having problems with infant feeding. You can also consult a doctor for breast feeding advice. With proper guidance, breast feeding can create a more harmonious relationship between the child and the mother.