The Benefits of Breastfeeding

In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), which is celebrated by more than 170 countries worldwide, [NL] is blogging about the numerous health benefits breastfeeding provides. So read on to see why breast milk is also known as “miracle milk” and “liquid gold.”

PROVIDING NUTRITION AND PROTECTION

For the first 3-5 days after birth a mother’s breast milk at the beginning of a feeding is thicker and yellow in color. This first breast milk, called colostrum, is packed with nutrition and antibodies that help protect your baby and aid in its growth. This double dose of health benefits provides the perfect combination of antibodies and nutrients (fat, sugar, protein, water) and is matched by no other liquid.

In fact, it had been shown that babies who are breast fed are at lower risk for numerous health complications including:

• GI issues such as diarrhea
• Asthma
• Skin rashes
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Ear and respiratory infections
• SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)

IT’S GOOD FOR MOM TOO!

While the baby is on the receiving end of most of the benefits of breastfeeding, there are still some benefits mom can get as well. Beyond bonding with their child and saving money from breastfeeding instead of buying formula, mothers who breastfeed have also been shown to lose pregnancy weight quicker and lower their risk of health complications such as:

• Breast and ovarian cancer
• Depression
• Type 2 diabetes

Clearly, science has shown that breastfeeding is beneficial for mother and baby, both physically and emotionally.

GREAT BREASTFEEDING RESOURCES

For further reading and some other great breastfeeding resources, check out these websites:

• World Breastfeeding Week
• La Leche League International
• National Institutes of Health
• Women’s Health at womenshealth.gov