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Reasons you SHOULD breastfeed

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blutea

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This article gives fantastic accurate information about breastfeeding. Every mother who is able really should try to breastfeed.

https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/

Why Breastfeeding is Important
Home > Breastfeeding > Why Breastfeeding is Important

•Breastfeeding Protects Babies
•Mothers Benefit From Breastfeeding
•Breastfeeding Benefits Society
•Breastfeeding During an Emergency
•Additional Resources
Breastfeeding Protects Babies
Breastfeeding Protects Babies
1.Early breast milk is liquid gold – Known as liquid gold, colostrum (coh-LOSS-trum) is the thick yellow first breast milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth. This milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. Although your baby only gets a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, it matches the amount his or her tiny stomach can hold. (Visit How to Know Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk to see just how small your newborn’s tummy is!)
2.Your breast milk changes as your baby grows – Colostrum changes into what is called mature milk. By the third to fifth day after birth, this mature breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your baby continue to grow. It is a thinner type of milk than colostrum, but it provides all of the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs.
3.Breast milk is easier to digest – For most babies — especially premature babies — breast milk is easier to digest than formula. The proteins in formula are made from cow’s milk and it takes time for babies’ stomachs to adjust to digesting them.
4.Breast milk fights disease – The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness. This protection is unique; formula cannot match the chemical makeup of human breast milk. In fact, among formula-fed babies, ear infections and diarrhea are more common. Formula-fed babies also have higher risks of:
◦Necrotizing (nek-roh-TEYE-zing) enterocolitis (en-TUR-oh-coh-lyt-iss), a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in preterm infants.
◦Lower respiratory infections
◦Atopic dermatitis, a type of skin rash
◦Asthma
◦Obesity
◦Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
◦Childhood leukemia

Breastfeeding has also been shown to lower the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
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Mothers Benefit From Breastfeeding
1.Life can be easier when you breastfeed – Breastfeeding may take a little more effort than formula feeding at first. But it can make life easier once you and your baby settle into a good routine. Plus, when you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. You do not have to buy, measure, and mix formula. And there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night! You can satisfy your baby’s hunger right away when breastfeeding.
2.Breastfeeding can save money – Formula and feeding supplies can cost well over $1,500 each year, depending on how much your baby eats. Breastfed babies are also sick less often, which can lower health care costs.
3.Breastfeeding can feel great – Physical contact is important to newborns. It can help them feel more secure, warm, and comforted. Mothers can benefit from this closeness, as well. Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time to bond. The skin-to-skin contact can boost the mother’s oxytocin (OKS-ee-TOH-suhn) levels. Oxytocin is a hormone that helps milk flow and can calm the mother.
4.Breastfeeding can be good for the mother’s health, too – Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of these health problems in women:
1.Type 2 diabetes
2.Breast cancer
3.Ovarian cancer
4.Postpartum depression

Experts are still looking at the effects of breastfeeding on osteoporosis and weight loss after birth. Many studies have reported greater weight loss for breastfeeding mothers than for those who don’t. But more research is needed to understand if a strong link exists.
5.Mothers miss less work – Breastfeeding mothers miss fewer days from work because their infants are sick less often.
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Breastfeeding Benefits Society
The nation benefits overall when mothers breastfeed. Recent research shows that if 90 percent of families breastfed exclusively for 6 months, nearly 1,000 deaths among infants could be prevented. The United States would also save $13 billion per year — medical care costs are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants. Breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.

Breastfeeding also contributes to a more productive workforce since mothers miss less work to care for sick infants. Employer medical costs are also lower.

Breastfeeding is also better for the environment. There is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.

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Breastfeeding During an Emergency
When an emergency occurs, breastfeeding can save lives:

•Breastfeeding protects babies from the risks of a contaminated water supply.
•Breastfeeding can help protect against respiratory illnesses and diarrhea. These diseases can be fatal in populations displaced by disaster.
•Breast milk is the right temperature for babies and helps to prevent hypothermia, when the body temperature drops too low.
•Breast milk is readily available without needing other supplies.
 
It's the best food you can give baby, especially in the early days. Full stop!
 
Yes, indeed, it is! Not to mention both mother and baby benefit from the emtional bonding of breastfeeding.
 
I've proudly breastfed 4 babies and soon to be 5 :) Love it!
 
thanks for this ladies. i'm excited to breastfeed and just hoping i don't have the troubles some of my girlfriends have experienced with latching, milk production, etc.
 
I didn't know all of the massive list of benefits before getting pregnant, but even before TTC, I had decided that I was definitely going to try to breastfeed. I am prepared for the possibility, but I will be absolutely crushed if something happens to prevent me from being able to breastfeed, or being able to breastfeed for as long as I want to.

Thanks for posting this thread, blutea. It makes me feel a lot better about myself during those times when I'm having an "ohmigod I'm going to be a horrible parent!" crisis of self-confidence. Just knowing that breastfeeding alone is going to do so much good for my baby.
 
thanks for this ladies. i'm excited to breastfeed and just hoping i don't have the troubles some of my girlfriends have experienced with latching, milk production, etc.

If you do have any issues be sure to contact your local La Leche League leaders or a lactation consultant. Most issues can be overcome and a happy, successful breastfeeding relationship can be achieved.
 
not trying to put a downer on here but it can be threads like this that make new mums who "fail" breastfeeding feel like crap.

yes in theory breastfeeding is best but sometimes its actualy the babies who do not like bf and have trouble.

i tried with my son and he hated it and id dreading feeding time, but i was very happy he atleast got afew days, i do believe women should atleast try. and with baby 2 ile be trying again, the natural erge to bf is amazing
 
If you do have trouble, make sure you push hard for support. I had amazing support from the birth centre, midwives and NCT lactation consultant as well as my local BF group. Most hospitals have a drop in centre that's open daily where you can go for suipport as well. And the BF section here has some very knowlegable ladies in who can offer a great deal of help. It's not always the case of course, but very often problems people have in the early days can be overcome if you get the right help quickly.
 
I didn't know all of the massive list of benefits before getting pregnant, but even before TTC, I had decided that I was definitely going to try to breastfeed. I am prepared for the possibility, but I will be absolutely crushed if something happens to prevent me from being able to breastfeed, or being able to breastfeed for as long as I want to.

Thanks for posting this thread, blutea. It makes me feel a lot better about myself during those times when I'm having an "ohmigod I'm going to be a horrible parent!" crisis of self-confidence. Just knowing that breastfeeding alone is going to do so much good for my baby.

Most mothers are able to breastfeed. You hear about the horror stories but that really is not common and can often happen due to misinformation or bad advice. You can do it! :thumbup:
 
Very inspiring article Blutea, thank you for sharing :)

I plan on breastfeeding, and my moto is going to be 'where there is a WILL there is a WAY'... I have heard many storys about how hard breastfeeding will be for the 1st 3/6 weeks, but i will persevere :)
I think i am psyching myself to be extra positive, so that my mind set is completely geared to the fact that i will breastfeed... For me having doubts or negativity will just make the process harder...
Not going to buy any pumps or bottles until i find that i NEED them... :winkwink:
 
Woohoo! If you unfortunately have trouble then baby will be just fine but it doesn't take away from how beneficial BFing is.
 
I didn't know all of the massive list of benefits before getting pregnant, but even before TTC, I had decided that I was definitely going to try to breastfeed. I am prepared for the possibility, but I will be absolutely crushed if something happens to prevent me from being able to breastfeed, or being able to breastfeed for as long as I want to.

Thanks for posting this thread, blutea. It makes me feel a lot better about myself during those times when I'm having an "ohmigod I'm going to be a horrible parent!" crisis of self-confidence. Just knowing that breastfeeding alone is going to do so much good for my baby.


I have that same niggle at the back of my head aswell, the massive 'what if'... I think i will be trully guttered if i cant! Wishing you luck Ember :)

lol back to positive thinking for me...
 
not trying to put a downer on here but it can be threads like this that make new mums who "fail" breastfeeding feel like crap.

yes in theory breastfeeding is best but sometimes its actualy the babies who do not like bf and have trouble.

i tried with my son and he hated it and id dreading feeding time, but i was very happy he atleast got afew days, i do believe women should atleast try. and with baby 2 ile be trying again, the natural erge to bf is amazing

My only aim is to encourage and support. We are all in this together. I'm so sorry you had trouble the first time around. I strongly encourage you to seek the support of your local LLL group. There you will find wonderful advice from like minded mommas.
 
Very inspiring article Blutea, thank you for sharing :)

I plan on breastfeeding, and my moto is going to be 'where there is a WILL there is a WAY'... I have heard many storys about how hard breastfeeding will be for the 1st 3/6 weeks, but i will persevere :)
I think i am psyching myself to be extra positive, so that my mind set is completely geared to the fact that i will breastfeed... For me having doubts or negativity will just make the process harder...
Not going to buy any pumps or bottles until i find that i NEED them... :winkwink:

Good for you! Determination is key during the rough times. :thumbup:
 
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