Posted on August 14, 2022

August is breastfeeding awareness month!

Breastfeeding is healthier for mom physically:

• Promotes faster weight loss after birth, burning about 500 extra calories a day to build and maintain a milk supply.
• Stimulates the uterus to contract and return to normal size.
• Less postpartum bleeding
• Fewer urinary track infractions
• Less chance of anemia
• Less risk of postpartum depression and a more positive mood

Healthier for mom emotionally:

• Breastfeeding produces the naturally soothing hormones oxytocin and prolactin that promote stress reduction and positive feelings in the nursing mother.
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Increased calmness. Breastfed babies cry less overall, and have fewer incidences of childhood illness. Breastfeeding can support the wellness of body, mind, and spirit for the whole family.
• Breastfeeding makes travel easier. Breast milk is always clean and the right temperature.
• Physical/emotional bonding between mother and child is increased. Breastfeeding promotes more skin-to-skin contact, more holding and stroking. Many feel that affectionate bonding during the first years of life help reduce social and behavioral problems in both children and adults.
• Breastfeeding mothers learn to read their infant’s cues and babies learn to trust caregivers. This helps shape the infant’s early behavior.

Breastfeeding benefits for baby:

1. Breast milk provides ideal nutrition for babies

2. Breast milk contains important antibodies

3.Breastfeeding may reduce disease risk in infants such as; middle ear infection, respiratory track infractions, childhood leukemia, cold and infection, gut infection, sudden infant death syndrome and much more.

4.Breast milk promotes baby’s healthy weight

5. Breastfeeding may make children smarter

Source: Cleveland Clinic