By:
jhayward on Monday, June 29th, 2015 @ 3:25 pm
Breastfeeding
is not easy for every new mother, but there are certainly scientifically-proven
advantages to feeding your child breast milk during first years of his or her
life.
The
World Health Organization (WHO) actually recommends you feed your child breast
milk for the first 2-years, although it says you can complement breast milk
with other foods and liquids after the first 6-months. While some mothers give
up on breastfeeding early due to barriers, WHO states getting support of a
doctor or expert in the field can benefit your own health as well as your
child’s early development…
1. Fighting off Infections
Immediately after Birth
In
the first days following delivery, your breasts produce colostrum, which is
highly concentrated in carbohydrates, protein and antibodies to ensure your
baby’s first days are healthy ones.
The
La Leche League International notes that colostrum is actually similar to a
vaccine in warding off viruses and infections in your baby. This is especially
important, because conventional vaccines cannot be given to your baby until he
or she is at least 2-months old (by Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines).
Colostrum naturally progresses to milk after about 2-weeks of feeding, and
still provides immunity.
2. Less Risk of Long-term Health Problems in
Mothers
While
many groups that encourage breastfeeding usually point to the benefits for the
infants, there are also proven health benefits for you as a mother. According
to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Sciences, breastfeeding can actually
reduce serious health risks in mothers such as Type 2 diabetes, as well as breast
cancer and ovarian cancer.
A
2010 article in Scientific American also states that the risk of heart disease
in mothers is decreased by breastfeeding, because it is an effective way to
break down the fats that tend to form around organs during pregnancy. The
cardiovascular benefits continue into women’s post-menopausal years, according
to the article
3. Losing Weight and
Getting into Pre-Baby Shape
Like
many mothers who have just given birth, you may be fretting about weight gain
and wondering if you’ll ever have your pre-pregnancy body back. La Leche League
International said that losing weight may actually be easier during lactation
(when you body produces milk), and women who breastfeed can expect to lose
about 1.6-pounds per month up to the first 6-months.
There
are of course other reasons to lose excess weight following a pregnancy other
than having the looks you desire, namely to help encourage your long-term
health. The Mayo Clinic notes that while breastfeeding can require up to 400-
to 500-extra calories a day, it’s still important for you to eat healthy foods
that are rich in nutrients such as whole bread and fruits.
4. Lower Chance of Postpartum
Depression
While breastfeeding has proven
physical benefits for you and your baby, it can also stave off postpartum
depression, which affects about 13-percent of women within 14-weeks of giving
birth. According to a 2014 study by researchers in the U.K. and Spain
that appeared in the Maternal and Child Health journal, the chances of
suffering from postpartum depression are about 50-percent lower in women who
breastfeed.
The research focused on about 14,000
new mothers in Bristol, England, and measured mental health at specific
intervals. The study found that the highest risk of postpartum depression is
from mothers that planned to breastfeed during pregnancy, but for whatever
reason did not follow through. The research showed a higher chance of
postpartum symptoms at 8-weeks, with the risk dropping off significantly at
8-months.
5. Better Bonding
with Baby
Psychology
Today noted in a 2011 article that there’s another benefit of breastfeeding
that goes beyond the physical. The time spent between you and your baby during
nursing releases feel-good hormones for both of you and forms bonds that have
ties to better outcomes later in life, according to the article.
According
to a 2013 article on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website,
children that were breastfed exhibit lower rates of anxiety and depression
later in life. The study found that breastfeeding for at least 10-months had
the biggest impact on mental health symptoms in children.
6. Reduced Financial Burden
While formula feeding also provides essential
vitamins and nutrients to your baby, it can be expensive. In fact, when your
baby is just a few weeks old he or she can consume close to 1.5 U.S. gallons of
formula in just one week, which can cost you thousands of dollars per year if
the formula is prepared in advance (powdered formula is usually cheaper).
The cost savings could go beyond your
household – according to a 2010 article in Scientific American, the country
could save $13-billion a year (based on previous data) on medical costs if 90-percent
of women breastfed for the recommended first six months. According to the
article, only 42-percent of women were still breastfeeding at 6-months. The
financial data does not include savings related to the potential health
benefits of mothers from breastfeeding.