Amazing Benefits of Breastfeeding
From Birth and Beyond
One of the ongoing debates that has fueled a divide in motherhood is breastfeeding VS formula feeding. I’m not here to tell you which one I think is best or what I think you should be feeding your baby, there is enough mom — shaming and judgement that goes on outside of the world of writing. This is to share with you the beauty and benefits of breastfeeding and breastmilk, also known as liquid gold.
According to the CDC, it is recommended to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of your baby’s life then continuing breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complimentary foods until your child is 12 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months of baby’s life, then introducing appropriate solids as complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or longer. This recommendation comes from the proven health benefits breastmilk presents to not only your baby, but you. As well as the fact that your breastmilk is always changing to meet your growing baby’s needs.
Some of the benefits for baby include a lowered risk of:
- Asthma
- Obesity
- Severe Lower Respiratory Disease
- Ear Infections
- Type 1 Diabetes
- SIDS
- Gastrointestinal Infections and more.
The benefits for mama include a lowered risk of:
- High Blood Pressure
- Postpartum Depression
- Ovarian Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Type 2 Diabetes and more.
Breastmilk is labeled as liquid gold because of it’s amazing ability to change to meet your baby’s needs. In fact, a mother’s irresistible urge to kiss her baby goes deeper than just being tickled pink by her new bundle of joy. Science says this is maternal biology driving you to kiss your baby. When you kiss your baby, you sample the micro-organisms on your baby’s skin which then helps your body produce antibodies to boost and protect your baby’s immune system! This is especially beneficial because it helps your baby develop passive immunity through the transfer of antibodies from you to baby through your milk following immunization or natural infection. This passive immunity is very important from birth to at least 2 to 3 months old since your baby still has an immature immune system during those first few months.
On top of all the health benefits, breastfeeding is a great way to bond with your new baby. Moms are more likely to participate in extended skin-to-skin bonding beyond the first few weeks with baby which helps to establish and promote a healthy parent-infant bond.
When you breastfeed your baby, your brain and your baby’s brain produces oxytocin which is known as the “love hormone.” This production of oxytocin is also why breastfeeding is said to help reduce postpartum depression. In fact, it is reported that breastfeeding mothers notice a reduction in stress, anxiety and negative moods.
Weaning
Most mothers will initiate the weaning process themselves. This process usually includes lots of tears, from both baby and mom (thanks hormones!), as well as some unrealistic expectations and goals from mom (sorry, mom). Generally, a child who is left to self-wean naturally will wean themselves between the ages 2–4 years. A child who self-weans is getting most of his nutrition from solids and drinking from a cup for liquids when they start to gradually cut down on nursing.
This process can be bittersweet for moms. It is the end of a journey that has fed your baby and kept them healthy. Breastfeeding is a major accomplishment and a very important milestone for moms. It’s ok to feel emotions and it is totally normal. To help cope you can try setting up new routines to bond with baby, celebrating the journey and embracing this new you who has come out on the other side of breastfeeding and motherhood!
Who knows, with your new bodily freedom maybe a new tattoo to commemorate the journey will help! ;)
