Top 50 Reasons I Breastfeed

This might surprise most but, feeding your baby is what breast are for! Unfortunately, many societies have sexualized the breast to the point where mothers don't feel comfortable breastfeeding. But the fact is that we have breast so that we can feed our babies!

Breastfeeding helps bonding with mother. Hormones are released into the body that helps relax the mom and help her bond. The hormone is especially important during the early weeks when moms are subject to fatigue and stress. Like a natural tranquilizer for both baby and mom - The closeness and cuddling associated with breastfeeding can easily calm a fussy baby and the release of prolactin allows the mother to relax

Breast milk contains endorphins - These hormones suppress pain naturally and can easily comfort a sick infant.

Helps shrink uterus back to pre-pregnancy size - Release of the hormone oxytocin during breastfeeding encourages uterine contractions that shrink the uterus

Breast milk is the perfect food for your child! - Composition of breast milk changes overtime to adapt to a growing baby's need

Breastfeeding reduces your chances of getting cancer. Mothers that breastfeed are less likely to develop breast, endometrial or ovarian cancer. "If all women who do not breastfeed or who breastfeed for less than 3 months were to do so for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduced by 11 percent, judging from current rates. If all women with children lactated for 24 months or longer, however, then the incidence might be reduced by nearly 25 percent. This reduction would be even greater among women who first lactate at an early age."
Newcomb PA, Storer BE, Longnecker MP, et al. Lactation and a reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:81-87

Breast milk is AWLAYS the perfect temperature so there is no guessing game and you do not need a bottle warmer. Severe burns to babies' mouths have occurred due to improper heating of artificial milks. Even when it's done correctly, it's never fun to try to warm a bottle for a fussing baby.

Breast milk smells sweet. Have you ever smelled Formula!?! YUCK

Speaking of smells...you know what else smells "better"? Breast fed babies poop! Yep, I just said poop doesn't stink. With breastfeeding you don't get that stinky want to pass out poop coming out of your precious newborn.

Protects against obesity - Breastfed babies regulate their own feedings from the beginning, which helps them to develop healthier eating patterns as they grow and develop. Also, leadsto less fussy eaters later in life - The flavor of breastmilk changes according to the foods that the mother eats, which can make for an easier transition to solid foods.

I found this surprising at first but it makes sense. "Nights are less stressful for both mother and baby - Baby's needs are met more quickly since mom doesn't have to prepare a bottle which decreases the infant's crying and fussiness. " I guess because I have ntohing to compare to, besides occasional bottle feedings (mostly during the day) I did not realize it was actually less stressful breastfeeding at night.

You can NOT over feed a breastfed baby - When breastfeeding an infant will stop nursing when he or she is fully satisfied; however, bottle fed infants are encouraged by parents to finish a bottle at each feeding. I think I would struggle with knowing how much formula to give my baby, and with breast milk that is never a concern for me!

Leads to less fussy eaters later in life - The flavor of breastmilk changes according to the foods that the mother eats, which can make for an easier transition to solid foods.

More easily digested than any formula - Babies are able to digest 100% of breast milk which leads to less spit-up and burping, the same cannot be said for formula.

Help you to lose pregnancy weight - Breastfeeding and milk production burns an additional 500 calories each day. The longer you breastfeed (months) the more calories you burn because the more milk you produce as your baby grows older

Easier and less time consuming than formula - Always fresh, clean, safe and at the right temperature, plus like I said already, it's free.

Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections

Babies are born with a sticky tar-like substance called meconium in their intestines. Colostrum, or early milk, is uniquely designed to help move this substance through the infant's body.

Quicker feedings, my son is a very fast at nursing bt takes longer to drink from a bottle (of pumped breast milk). People are always amazed when I arrived back with my son so quickly.

Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections. It is very rare for a breast fed baby to get constipated. My son is almost 6 months old and has never gotten constipated. He just now started pooping only 1-2 times a day. Although all the poopie diapers are a drag, it's a small price to pay for all the benefits!

Breast milk has never been recalled

Its Fresh! Breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria In fact, it has antibacterial properties

No need to worry about which brand is better. Although, my son does prefer Left over Right!

Breastfeeding mothers spend less time and money on doctor visits

Breastfeeding is GREEN and great for the environment! More breastfeeding means less production of formula.

Breast milk is always available! The store is always open and the milk is always in stock (the store being the mother lol)

Milk will not stain - Inevitably some spillage will occur while feeding an infant, breast milk doesn't leave stains on clothing or other fabrics unlike formula.

Breastfed babies have better speech development - Bottle fed babies often attempt to slow the flow of milk which can result in tongue thrusting problems

NO MENSTRUAL CYCLE: Natural birth spacing for the first six months - Applies to those mothers who exclusively breastfeed (no supplements of formula or solid foods) and whose menstrual periods have not returned.

Nursing baby causes the mother's body to release oxytocin, which stimulates contractions which help shrink the uterus back to pre-pregnancy size while expelling the placenta. These contractions also shut off the maternal blood vessels that formerly fed the baby and discourage excessive bleeding. Women who choose not to breastfeed must be given synthetic oxytocin to insure against hemorrhaging. Chua S, Arulkumaran S, Lim I et al. "Influence of breastfeeding and nipple stimulation on postpartum uterine activity." Br J Ovstet Gynaecol 1994; 101:804-805

Breastfeeding results in less sick days for parents. Since breastfed babies catch fewer diseases and have very few if none days of sickness, then the parents miss less time off from work.

Buying noncontamined water is never a worry. And we save money on not having to buy sterile or "nursery" water to prepare formula.

Breastfeeding enhances vaccine effectiveness

Breastfeeding raises childrens IQ **The lower IQs found in formula fed babies are said to be a result of insufficient nutrition.

You never have to worry about how much formula to give your baby. Breastfeeding allows a mother to easily learn babies hunger and full cues. When baby is done nursing they unlatch and if they are still fussy after unlatching then that means they are still hungry!

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it

Breastfed babies are less likely to die of SIDS. (About 7,000 US babies die every year from SIDS. While we don't know what causes SIDS, we do know what the risk factors are, that includes using formula to feed your baby. Breastmilk is one of the few factors that you can control.)
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Breastfeeding your baby causes baby to have fewer allergies. There are lots of reasons why this happens, but remember - Mother's milk is specific for each and every child. It changes throughout the day and throughout the span that you nurse.
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Not only satisfies hunger, but emotional needs as well - Helps mother to develop a strong and unique bond with her baby.

Never have to worry when traveling about feeding your baby! With formula you will have to pack a cooler with a bottle (s), formula, sterile water, and a bottle warmer. When nursing you don't need to pack anything but the baby. Even if a mother is not ready to NIP she can nurse comfortably in the backseat of her car.

When baby is hungry they are fed. When my baby boy is hungry you will know it because his cry is more of a scream. Sometimes I think about how stressful it would be to have to prepare a bottle of formula with a fussy baby. I pumped more in the beginning and soon found out it was more work than just breastfeeding!

The smiles a breastfed baby gives their mother after a feeding is bpriceless!/b">

Breastmilk is natural and a newborn already has enough to adjust to not being comfy in the mothers womb.

Pre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants

Formula fed babies have a higher risk of developing certain childhood cancers

The rod-shaped bacteria that killed a Missouri infant in January 2012 have infected at least 120 infants worldwide since 1958 and have been linked to the use of baby formula in the past, public-health researchers say.

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No need to refrigerate

Cow's milk is designed for baby cows, while human milk is designed for human babies

Less equipment to maintain and store and less equipment to buy.

I love my baby boy and once I was educated on the benefits of breastfeeding there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to at least try to feed my baby the natural way. And I am so glad that I have exclusively breastfed my baby since the day he was born because he is the healthiest, most happiest baby I know!!