6 Science-Backed Benefits of Breastfeeding You Need to Know This Breastfeeding Week

Motherhood is a journey filled with love, sacrifice, and endless learning. As you hold your newborn in your arms, you embark on a magical voyage of nurturing, caring, and providing for this tiny bundle of joy. Breastfeeding, a natural and invaluable gift, plays a pivotal role in this enchanting adventure.

As we embrace the joyous occasion of Breastfeeding Week, I thought there is no better time to talk about the numerous benefits of breastfeeding, both for the baby and the mother.  Firstly, hearty congratulations to all the new moms embracing motherhood. I hope you have the best transformative experience with your little ones.

Your body, in its miraculous wisdom, produces breast milk that is tailor-made to meet your baby's every need. It is nothing short of a superfood - brimming with essential nutrients, immune-boosting antibodies, and boundless love. Through breastfeeding, you nourish your little one not just with food but with a profound connection that words cannot fully express.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Baby

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that breastfeeding is good for babies until they are 2 years old because it keeps helping them even at that age. Here are some proven benefits of breastfeeding for your baby.

1. Massively boosts baby’s immune system

Breastfeeding is important because it can keep babies safe from both short-term and long-term illnesses and diseases. When babies receive only breast milk, it's called exclusive breastfeeding, and it is especially helpful. This can lower the chances of your baby getting various illnesses and diseases, such as:

• Diarrhea, vomiting and preterm necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
• Respiratory infections like pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough
• Ear infections
• Bacterial meningitis
• Asthma
• Intestinal tissue damage
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and infant mortality
• Childhood obesity
• Eczema
• Type 2 diabetes later in life
• Childhood Leukemia
• Cavities and future orthodontic problems for babies less than one year of age
• Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Breastfed infants tend to be healthier and have fewer hospitalizations. It results in fewer visits to their pediatrician for sicknesses.

2. Better brain development of the baby

Breastfeeding might make it easier for babies to do well in tests. Some studies suggest that breastfed babies' brains may develop differently compared to those who are formula-fed. This could be because of the closeness, touch, and eye contact during breastfeeding, along with the nutrients in breast milk.

Research shows that babies who are breastfed tend to have higher intelligence scores and are less likely to have behavior or learning problems as they grow up. The effects are most noticeable in babies born prematurely, as they have a higher risk of developmental issues. In conclusion, breastfeeding has a positive impact on babies' brain development in the long run, and it can make a difference in their overall growth and abilities.

3. A source of optimal nutrition and love

Your body, in its miraculous wisdom, produces breast milk that is tailor-made to meet your baby's every need. It is nothing short of a superfood - brimming with essential nutrients, immune-boosting antibodies, and boundless love. Through breastfeeding, you nourish your little one not just with food but with a profound connection that words cannot fully express.

Breast milk has everything a baby needs for the first 6 months of life, and it has the right balance of nutrients. It even changes to match what the baby requires, especially in the first month. Right after birth, your breasts produce a special type of milk called colostrum. It's thick, yellowish, and filled with important substances like protein. Colostrum is like a superfood and cannot be replaced by formula.

Colostrum is perfect for newborns as it helps their delicate digestive system grow and develop. After a few days, your breasts produce more milk as the baby's tummy gets bigger. As the baby continues to grow, your breast milk will adjust to give them all the right nutrients they need.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Mother

The benefits of breastfeeding extend to you as well.

4. Decreases the risk of Postpartum Depression 

After giving birth, some moms may experience postpartum depression (PPD), a type of depression that surfaces shortly after childbirth. According to a fascinating study in 2012, breastfeeding might be a superhero in the fight against PPD. The study found that women who breastfeed are less likely to experience postpartum depression compared to those who wean their babies early or choose not to breastfeed at all. It's like breastfeeding has a magical touch that helps protect against the baby blues!

However, it's essential to understand that if a mom faces postpartum depression soon after delivery, she might encounter some challenges in breastfeeding and might do it for a shorter time. But don't worry, support and care can make a significant difference in overcoming any hurdles and making the breastfeeding journey a joyous and empowering one!

5. Reduces risk of number of chronic illnesses

Breastfeeding can protect you from cancer and other diseases in the long run. The more time you spend breastfeeding, the lower your chances of getting breast and ovarian cancer.

Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of:

• High blood pressure
• Arthritis
• High blood fats
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Endometrial cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Osteoporosis

So, not only does breastfeeding provide wonderful benefits for your baby, but it also takes care of your health too!

6. Helps with Hormonal Balance

During pregnancy, your uterus grows a lot, taking up most of the space in your abdomen. After giving birth, your uterus needs to shrink back to its previous size, and this process is called involution. The hormone oxytocin, which increases during pregnancy, plays a vital role in this. It helps during labour by aiding in delivering the baby and reducing bleeding. Oxytocin also helps you bond with your newborn.

When you breastfeed, oxytocin levels increase even more. This hormone encourages your uterus to contract, which helps it return to its previous size faster. It also reduces bleeding after birth. Studies have shown that breastfeeding moms usually have less blood loss after delivery, and their uteruses return to their normal size more quickly. So, breastfeeding not only nourishes your baby but also helps your body recover and stay healthy after giving birth!

Closing Thoughts

Breastfeeding goes beyond being an incredible experience for you and your baby; it is also a sustainable choice for our planet. By choosing to breastfeed, you contribute to a greener future, reducing waste and promoting environmental conservation.

In the gentle act of breastfeeding, a beautiful dance of emotions unfolds between you and your baby. The skin-to-skin contact, the warmth of your embrace, and the nourishing milk create an unbreakable bond that nurtures not just your baby's body but their heart and soul as well. The experience of breastfeeding is a special and unique way to bond with your baby.