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8 Importance of Breastfeeding

I have always being a huge supporter of breastfeeding as I have breastfed all my 3 kids for at least the first year.  I understand the internal and external challenges nursing mummies face but we cannot neglect the importance of breastfeeding to our little one. 

Human milk is one of the best things we can provide to our newborn baby. Circumstances that make most mummies give up like low milk supply or pain to the nipples can be resolved with the right know-how.

8 importance of breastfeeding all nursing mummy should know

1) Best Nutrients

Human milk comprises of sugar(lactose), easily digestible proteins(whey and casein), and fat(digestible fatty acids). It is all properly balanced to suit your baby. Even more, breast milk contains numerous minerals and vitamins, as well as enzymes that aid in digestive and absorption process. 

2) Better than any baby formula

Baby Formulas in the market can only approximate the combination of nutrients in breast milk. However, they do not provide all of the enzymes, antibodies, growth-promoting factors and many other valuable ingredients of breast milk. 

3) Cost

According to research studies, the average cost of infant formula for families amounts to about $855 for the first 6 months. They also discover that non-breastfed babies incur between $331 and $475 per infant more than the costs incurred by breastfed infants for hospital medical cost. (Source). While maintaining a balanced diet for yourself, you should only slightly increase your own calories intake for breastfeeding. It will still only cost a fraction of what you would spend for formula. 

4) Lose weight fast

Breastfeeding also has an added advantage of helping the nursing mother lose weight fast. The main reason is that it burns 500 calories a day to produce breast milk for your hungry monster. It helps you to get back to shape fast, helps the uterus tighten up and return more quickly to its normal size.

5) Psychological and emotional advantages

Nursing provides direct skin to skin contact for the mummy and baby which is soothing for him/her and pleasant for you. The same hormones that stimulate milk production and release promote feelings of mothering.  Most nursing mummies I have seen in breastfeeding groups feel that the experience helps them build a strong protective bond with their babies. They also feel more confident to nurture and care for their child

6) Infant nurturing and development

Even though research has shown that time spent on breastfeeding and formula feeding is the same, the quality time spent is different. A breastfeeding mummy will feel increasing demand for her time while formula feeding time is mostly spent on shopping and cleaning feeding utensils.

Time spent is an important factor to nurture and develop your infant. The bonding built through physical contact with mummy during breastfeeding will not exist for formula-fed babies. 

7) Build a stronger bond with other family members

After breastfeeding, your spouse or parents can help to burp or change the diaper before or after feeding. Other activities like cuddling, bath or walk with the baby help to build a stronger bond within the family. As breastfeeding is well established( about three to four weeks of age,  your family member may also help to feed a bottle of expressed milk. ( See also when can you start pumping when you are breastfeeding)

8) Lower rates of health issues

During breastfeeding, antibodies and other germ-fighting factors pass on from the mother help to build and strengthen the immune system of your little one.

Breastmilk helps to protect against conditions such as ear infections, allergies, and gastrointestinal infections that cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Compared to formula-fed babies, breastfed babies also have lower rates of respiratory diseases, diabetes(type 1 and 2), obesity, sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS), childhood leukaemia and lymphoma.

Help for breastfeeding mothers

During the period of breastfeeding especially for the first few weeks, there can be a lot of miscommunication with your spouse. I have experienced it before and it can be frustrating and depressing if frequent arguments occur.

It is important to discuss issues with your spouse directly instead of keeping it to your heart. Do not assume that he knows what you are thinking. Both mother and father must understand and support this choice before the baby arrives. 

Once breastfeeding is well established, mummies will have a chance to get away from the little one. You can continue to pump and collect and store the milk for future consumption. (If you plan on exclusive pumping, see how much milk you should be producing here.) Your spouse, family members or caregiver can help to feed him/her from a bottle

Stress and breastfeeding problems

It is common to experience slight discomforts in the early days of breastfeeding. However, it is not common if you are having serious discomforts during the process. Here are some ways to provide pain relief for your nipples while breastfeeding. If the situation persists, seek help from your lactation consultant or pediatrician. 

Seeking help from an expert is a good way to overcome these problems and continue your breastfeeding journey confidently. Some common breastfeeding issues like flat nipples or low milk supply can be resolved without much fuss. ( Check out breastfeeding supplements or lactations cookies that help to boost milk supply).  

Expert tip 

In rare medical situations, breastfeeding may not be recommended. If you are feeling extremely sick, you may not have the energy or stamina to continue breastfeeding. It is also dangerous if you are taking certain medications and it flows through the breastmilk to your baby.

Although most medicines are safe for breastfeeding, always check with your pediatrician in regards to your situation. She should be able to provide you with advice and also recommend you to swap to safer medicines while you are nursing.

Conclusion on the importance of breastfeeding

Occasionally, some mummies have tried everything but have breastfeeding problems that lead to untimely weaning from the breast. You may feel sad and disappointed as it did not work out as planned. However, do not be too hard upon yourself as sometimes it is out of your control. You may just have to explore formula bottle feeding if this situation arises. Are you a supporter of breastfeeding your newborn? Drop a comment below. 

You may also be keen on How Fast Does Food Affect Breast Milk and the Best Baby Toys for Newborns 0 – 3 months.