Learn eight awesome benefits of breastfeeding for you and your little one.
Are you considering breastfeeding your little one and want to know some good reasons why you should?
Or do you already breastfeed but need a refresher on why you’re doing this in the first place?
I get it!
Being engorged, tired all the time, and struggling to keep your breastmilk supply up can take the enjoyment right out of your entire breastfeeding experience.
Boobies on demand can leave us mamas feeling completely drained and wishing away this special time we have with our babies.
But don’t throw in the towel!
Breastfeeding is more than just another thing to do for baby today (like changing diapers!).
It’s a phenomenal way to give your baby a healthy start to their life.
These are eight of the benefits for you and baby if you breastfeed.
1. Bonding
Breastfed babies are able to establish a better connection with their parents simply because they have more human contact compared to babies that are bottle fed.
It’s beautiful to see mothers talking to, singing to, and caressing while making eye contact with their babies while breastfeeding. These are all ways to create deeper intimacy right from day one.
Skin to skin is so important. Here are some of the benefits for your baby:
- Better brain development
- Decreased periods of crying
- Less stress
- Longer periods of sleep
- Improvement in the functioning of the heart and lungs
2. Optimal Health
Your body knows how to divide up and distribute to your baby everything he or she needs to grow and maintain great health. When you’re determined and committed to putting the right foods in your mouth, your body will make sure the milk is produced.
It’s actually quite miraculous! All you need to do is focus on eating healthy foods while you’re breastfeeding.
Nutrients are also more easily absorbed through breast milk as opposed to formula.
3. Helps Shrink Uterus
When you breastfeed, your body produces a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin is produced when your baby sucks.
This hormone stimulates the “let down” of your breast milk. It also causes your uterus to shrink back down to just about what it was before you become pregnant.
It typically takes anywhere from four to six weeks for the uterus to shrink back. However, with a little more effort on your part, it could be several months before you begin to see your flat stomach return.
Breastfeeding aids you in the process of getting your hot body back!
4. Lower Risks of Depression
Remember that hormone oxytocin? Well, it also has another benefit! It’s a natural antidepressant.
10%-15% of women suffer from postpartum mood disorders, including postpartum depression.
Oxytocin is not 100% depression-proof, but studies show that women who breastfeed tend to show lower levels of depression compared to those that don’t.
If you already suffer from postpartum depression and you’re not currently breastfeeding, give it a try! The effect it has on your body can give you relief from ongoing despair and sadness.
5. Affordable
The fact is…formula is crazy expensive! Depending on where you live, it can cost as much as $25 per container. Yikes!
It may seem to be more convenient, but it’s pricey! Buying formula is an ongoing expense.
By choosing to breastfeed, you won’t need to factor in the price for bottles (or keeping up with them) unless you’re pumping your breastmilk. Breastfeeding is free but does require a bit more work in the following ways:
- Eating healthy meals continually
- Drinking enough water
- Pumping on a schedule
Overall, breastfeeding is still worthwhile in so many ways. Free food usually means less stress, mama. 🙂
6. Always Accessible
Mommies already have enough to remember everyday. We’re sleep deprived, hungry, and seem to barely have time to shower before running out the door to squeeze in a little grocery shopping before the doctor’s appt.
And don’t get me started on how we have dinner in the car!
At least breastfeeding is one less thing to remember. You can’t forget to your breasts! 🙂
But you can forget to eat, unfortunately. So remember to stop and eat healthy nutritious meals so your baby can feast on your abundant supply of breastmilk.
7. Fights off Sickness
Every parent wants to protect their little one from anything that would inflict hurt or pain, including sickness. But what are the chances of preventing them from getting sick or catching a disease?
We can feel so helpless! Breastfeeding gives babies a fighting chance for their little bodies to build strong immunity to fight the viruses that are going around. Especially during their first year of life.
Whether you plan to stay home with baby or leave your child in someone else’s care, you can have at least a little peace of mind.
Every time you breastfeed, your safeguarding your baby from catching the illnesses you’re trying to avoid.
8. Weight Loss
Want to lose your pregnancy weight, mama? You can do it! Studies support the idea that mothers who breastfeed after giving birth are able to successfully shed their pregnancy weight.
Breastfeeding exclusively will increase the rate at which you’re able to lose the weight as well. So the more you do it, the more you’ll shed those extra pounds and get back to the body you really want.
Breastfeeding paired with postpartum exercises and a healthy diet is even better and will make you feel amazing as a person.
Exercising always produces more clarity and helps us feel more relaxed.
Note: Make sure that you check with your doctor before starting or resuming any workout routine after you’ve given birth.
Need Encouragement and Help?
Look –
Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing you can do for your baby, but it IS challenging.
I breastfeed my twins but had to supplement and often felt alone during all of this. I didn’t get out of the house when my twins were young since it took hours and hours to get ready and well – I wasn’t up to chit-chatting!
If you feel the same way or need some help with your breastfeeding journey, I want you check out these two amazing online classes you can take at home!
1. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class
This 90-minute online class can help you get your breastfeeding on the right path for success! With help on knowing when your baby has enough milk to common mistakes moms make when breasting and more, this course has it all.
2. The Ultimate Back to Work Pumping Class
Many moms give up breastfeeding and pumping once they go back to work. But, if you don’t want that to happen, then this online class can help you and give you the support you need.
It will equip you with tips on getting your baby to take a bottle, easy ways to build a freezer stash and more!
Wrap it Up
Amazing, right?!
Now you know eight awesome benefits to breastfeeding for both you and baby. Just knowing you have this much control over your and your baby’s health is incredible!
Let it excite you because no one else can do what you do for your baby.
Even if you can’t (or don’t want to) breastfeed exclusively, you and baby will still reap these golden benefits if you do it at all. How exciting?!
As a mother, you want your precious baby to be healthy and happy. Breastfeeding, even on a here-and-here basis can put your baby on a healthier track during their first year of life.
So stay encouraged, mama. You and baby will be glad you stuck with it!
Now it’s your turn. What are your primary reasons for breastfeeding? Share with me in the comments below.
Don’t forget to pin me!
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