Benefits of Breastfeeding to Mum and Baby

As a mum, whether a CEO, stay at home mum, or both, we all have the same decision to make when it comes to breastfeeding. The question is how long should you breastfeed? What are the benefits? Lagosmums supports exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life.

Breast milk contains an antibody that aids the baby in fighting off viruses and bacteria. It lowers the risk of asthma and allergies in the baby.

 

[Healthy food for Breastfeeding mums]

Benefits of BreastFeeding

A healthier baby:

When you breastfeed your baby, the incidences of pneumonia, colds, and viruses are reduced,” says infant-nutrition expert Ruth A. Lawrence, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and OB-GYN at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, N.Y., and the author of Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession. Gastrointestinal infections like diarrhea, which can be devastating, especially in developing countries are less common.

Healthier Mums

When the baby breastfeeds,  the oxytocin released helps the uterus contract. This helps the uterus return to its normal size, in about six weeks postpartum. Without breastfeeding it could take about 10 weeks.

Mother nature has it such that mum can burn almost 20 calories with every ounce of breast milk. Joy Kosak says “if your baby eats 19-30 ounces a day, that’s anywhere between 380-600 calories burned”! Awesome right? God the perfect fitness trainer.

breastfeeding. Breastfeed

[10 tips for naturally increasing Breast milk supply]

Less risk of cancer

There is also the benefit of decreasing your baby’s risk of childhood cancers. Mum will also have a lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Other benefits include a reduction in the risk of postpartum depression and type II diabetes amongst other diseases for mum.

Child spacing and Child Immune Development:

This is sometimes considered as a myth. However, research has shown that breastfed babies have a better antibody response to the vaccine compared to formula-fed babies. The baby also gains adequate weight as he/she grows. A mother who breastfeeds enjoys delay in ovulation and menstruation, which, serves as natural birth control. (98% protection in the first six months after birth).

Mother Baby bond –

Breastfeeding encourages physical closeness, skin-to-skin touch, and eye contact which helps baby bond and feel secure.

According to the World Health Organization, the long-term benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and children cannot be replicated with infant formula. 

Knowing these benefits now I do hope that Mums and Mums-to-be out there decide to go EXCLUSIVE!

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