freckleonear
Crunchy mummy
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
- Messages
- 4,643
- Reaction score
- 0
I just wrote this out for myself and thought it might be useful to share. 
Below is a brief summary of why breastfeeding is best for your baby, yourself and society. If you are having difficulties, perhaps reading through this list will remind you of what a great job you are doing and encourage you to keep going.
Why is breastfeeding best for my baby?
Now:
Breastmilk contains exactly what baby needs and is easier to digest than formula.
It is comforting when the baby is distressed or ill.
It helps protect against ear infections, gastro-intestinal infections, chest infections and urine infections.
It helps protect against childhood cancers, eczema and asthma.
It reduces the risk of food intolerances and allergies.
It reduces the risk of cot death.
Breastmilk has a constantly changing flavour and prepares the baby for a variety of tastes later on.
It encourages correct teeth and jaw development and speech development is more advanced.
In the future:
It helps protect against obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
It may help increase IQ.
Why is breastfeeding best for me?
After the birth:
It helps you to bond with your baby.
It helps your uterus to return to normal and reduces the risk of heavy bleeding.
The milk-making hormone prolactin has a calming effect and helps you to sleep better at night.
While you are breastfeeding:
It can help you lose weight.
It is convenient, labour saving and always available.
It saves on average about £500 per year.
In the future:
It helps to protect you against breast, uterine and ovarian cancers.
It may help increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis.
It may help protect against heart disease.
Why is breastfeeding best for society?
It saves healthcare costs as breastfed babies generally need fewer doctor appointments, prescriptions and hospitalizations.
It contributes to a more productive workforce as children who were breastfed are ill less often and so their parents miss less work.
It is better for the environment as no packaging or processing is involved.
Below is a brief summary of why breastfeeding is best for your baby, yourself and society. If you are having difficulties, perhaps reading through this list will remind you of what a great job you are doing and encourage you to keep going.
Why is breastfeeding best for my baby?
Now:
Breastmilk contains exactly what baby needs and is easier to digest than formula.
It is comforting when the baby is distressed or ill.
It helps protect against ear infections, gastro-intestinal infections, chest infections and urine infections.
It helps protect against childhood cancers, eczema and asthma.
It reduces the risk of food intolerances and allergies.
It reduces the risk of cot death.
Breastmilk has a constantly changing flavour and prepares the baby for a variety of tastes later on.
It encourages correct teeth and jaw development and speech development is more advanced.
In the future:
It helps protect against obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
It may help increase IQ.
Why is breastfeeding best for me?
After the birth:
It helps you to bond with your baby.
It helps your uterus to return to normal and reduces the risk of heavy bleeding.
The milk-making hormone prolactin has a calming effect and helps you to sleep better at night.
While you are breastfeeding:
It can help you lose weight.
It is convenient, labour saving and always available.
It saves on average about £500 per year.
In the future:
It helps to protect you against breast, uterine and ovarian cancers.
It may help increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis.
It may help protect against heart disease.
Why is breastfeeding best for society?
It saves healthcare costs as breastfed babies generally need fewer doctor appointments, prescriptions and hospitalizations.
It contributes to a more productive workforce as children who were breastfed are ill less often and so their parents miss less work.
It is better for the environment as no packaging or processing is involved.
hang in there - it's worth it in the end.
