Advantages
of Breast Feeding
With
numerous guidelines being written on the importance and benefits of
breastfeeding, more and more mothers are becoming aware of how
beneficial it is
to nurse their babies.
Along with saving you money on formula, breast feeding can also help
you to
keep your medical bills down. Babies that are formula fed get sick more
often
and more seriously than babies that are breast fed.
Breast milk is produced on demand and the best way to increase milk
production
is to allow the baby to suckle directly from the breast. It is the
baby's
suckling action that encourages further milk production.
Breastfeeding protects against this by providing the infant with a
substance
called secretory IGA. This immunoglobulin in colostrum and breastmilk
prevents
the absorption of very large foreign molecules when the infant's immune
system
is immature.
Breastfeeding also helps your baby's brain to develop because it's rich
in
fatty acids that protect the cells of the brain. It also helps your
baby to
develop strong muscles because breast milk provides the perfect mix of
proteins
for building muscle tissue.
Having a little baby in your arms is one of the most wonderful feelings
you can
have. Going one step further with breastfeeding puts butterflies in
your tummy.
These are moments that will last forever and will shape the new you – a
Mom.
Believe it or not, this is a benefit. Mother and baby belong together
and
breastfeeding makes sure that this happens more often than if the
mother is
formula feeding. If the family is serious about making breastfeeding
successful, they can come up with creative ways to keep Mommy and baby
together.
Some studies even indicate that breastfeeding may reduce the incidence
of
breast, uterine and ovarian cancers (Radetsky, 1999) and in the long
term may
reduce a woman's risk of osteoporosis by increasing bone strength.
Breastfeeding helps the child having a better immune system and helps
them in
responding better to vaccinations.
What about the psychological benefits? Touch is so very important to
any human,
especially a newborn. With breastfeeding, there is skin on skin
contact,
whereas a bottle fed baby may not be touched by anything other than a
hard
plastic or glass bottle.
A long term plan is well needed is governments really want to help new
mothers
continue breastfeeding for longer periods and diminish the important
drop rate
after a few months.
Additionally, the fact that babies usually bring their food with them
is
wonderful. Not only does the food come pre-prepared, but also, it is
always at
the right temperature and it can be provided in a matter of seconds. By
going
this route, families will be able to save some money.
About
the Author:
Read About health
magazine
Also Read About breast
feeding pumps
and breast
feeding benefits
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