Several Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Baby
- By Elizabeth L Perkins
- Published Thursday 25th 2010
- Parenting
- Unrated
Elizabeth L Perkins
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Breastfeeding can simultaneously be one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences new mothers go through. The bond that grows between moms and their babies while nursing is unique and irreplaceable. Sadly, due to soreness, latching problems, severe engorgement, and other issues, many new moms abandon the effort before it truly pays off.
Those who are willing to endure some of the obstacles to breastfeeding will eventually enjoy a plethora of benefits. Below, we'll describe five of the most significant. You'll learn how nursing speeds up your metabolism, improves your baby's health (yours, too!), and lays the groundwork for a stronger, more intimate bond with your little one.
Tip 1 - Accelerates Your Metabolism
The process by which your body produces milk increases your metabolic rate. While estimates vary, many experts suggest this process burns several hundred calories each day. You've spent the last several months in a body that was larger, more sluggish, and less energetic than normal. Given that a lot of new mothers struggle to shed the pregnancy pounds, this nursing effect on your metabolism may be a welcome advantage. And the best part? It happens while you sleep and rest.
Tip 2 - Improved Health For Your Infant
While breastfeeding, your baby will enjoy several benefits related to her health and development. For example, she'll need to put more effort into drawing your milk than she would from a bottle. Not only does that influence the development of her jaws, but it also helps to ensure her teeth are aligned properly.
Breast milk is easier for infants to digest than formula because it contains less protein. Easier digestion means less gas and thus, less discomfort (and by extension, less fussing from an upset stomach).
Many experts also suggest breastfeeding leads to better eye development, coordination, and even a higher IQ for your baby.
Tip
3 - Improved Health For You
When it comes to the health benefits of breastfeeding, most of the attention has traditionally been directed toward the infant. However, research shows that nursing moms might also enjoy improved health. For example, the hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that stimulates contractions during childbirth) is released while nursing. That causes your uterus to shrink and heal after having been stretched while giving birth.
Another health advantage involves the return of your menstrual cycle. Breastfeeding can postpone its return by up to several months.
Tip 4 - Closer Connection Between Mom And Baby
There are few opportunities to better strengthen the bond you share with your baby than the time spent nursing. You're unlikely to multi-task by sending emails, returning calls to friends, and preparing dinner. Instead, this is the time during which your infant has your full attention. As she nurses, she'll be looking at the features of your face; she'll be gazing into your eyes.
The intimacy forged from this connection becomes unbreakable over time. Moreover, it helps your infant develop emotionally, secure in the safety she feels when lying next to you.
Tip 5 - Perfect Source Of Nutrition
Your breast milk contains an abundance of important nutrients for your baby. Most notably, it includes colostrum, a low-fat, protein-rich ingredient that resists infection. Colostrum contains carbohydrates, vitamins, and other essentials. Nature has equipped your body with a mechanism that automatically limits the amount of colostrum in your milk after a few days. That helps your infant make the transition to milk that contains higher levels of fats and carbohydrates.
To be sure, some new mothers confront breastfeeding challenges that are insurmountable. These challenges can be severe and make nursing far less rewarding - sometimes, even impossible. Fortunately, those are exceptions to the rule. Most women can take advantage of one of the most gratifying experiences of motherhood.
Those who are willing to endure some of the obstacles to breastfeeding will eventually enjoy a plethora of benefits. Below, we'll describe five of the most significant. You'll learn how nursing speeds up your metabolism, improves your baby's health (yours, too!), and lays the groundwork for a stronger, more intimate bond with your little one.
Tip 1 - Accelerates Your Metabolism
The process by which your body produces milk increases your metabolic rate. While estimates vary, many experts suggest this process burns several hundred calories each day. You've spent the last several months in a body that was larger, more sluggish, and less energetic than normal. Given that a lot of new mothers struggle to shed the pregnancy pounds, this nursing effect on your metabolism may be a welcome advantage. And the best part? It happens while you sleep and rest.
Tip 2 - Improved Health For Your Infant
While breastfeeding, your baby will enjoy several benefits related to her health and development. For example, she'll need to put more effort into drawing your milk than she would from a bottle. Not only does that influence the development of her jaws, but it also helps to ensure her teeth are aligned properly.
Breast milk is easier for infants to digest than formula because it contains less protein. Easier digestion means less gas and thus, less discomfort (and by extension, less fussing from an upset stomach).
Many experts also suggest breastfeeding leads to better eye development, coordination, and even a higher IQ for your baby.
Tip
When it comes to the health benefits of breastfeeding, most of the attention has traditionally been directed toward the infant. However, research shows that nursing moms might also enjoy improved health. For example, the hormone oxytocin (the same hormone that stimulates contractions during childbirth) is released while nursing. That causes your uterus to shrink and heal after having been stretched while giving birth.
Another health advantage involves the return of your menstrual cycle. Breastfeeding can postpone its return by up to several months.
Tip 4 - Closer Connection Between Mom And Baby
There are few opportunities to better strengthen the bond you share with your baby than the time spent nursing. You're unlikely to multi-task by sending emails, returning calls to friends, and preparing dinner. Instead, this is the time during which your infant has your full attention. As she nurses, she'll be looking at the features of your face; she'll be gazing into your eyes.
The intimacy forged from this connection becomes unbreakable over time. Moreover, it helps your infant develop emotionally, secure in the safety she feels when lying next to you.
Tip 5 - Perfect Source Of Nutrition
Your breast milk contains an abundance of important nutrients for your baby. Most notably, it includes colostrum, a low-fat, protein-rich ingredient that resists infection. Colostrum contains carbohydrates, vitamins, and other essentials. Nature has equipped your body with a mechanism that automatically limits the amount of colostrum in your milk after a few days. That helps your infant make the transition to milk that contains higher levels of fats and carbohydrates.
To be sure, some new mothers confront breastfeeding challenges that are insurmountable. These challenges can be severe and make nursing far less rewarding - sometimes, even impossible. Fortunately, those are exceptions to the rule. Most women can take advantage of one of the most gratifying experiences of motherhood.
