Having a baby is one of the most life-changing events of your life. It is both a happy and challenging experience; you might be anxious about the choices you make to guarantee your baby’s well-being and your own health. During this period, people around you will probably give you well-meaning advice and you may read lots of different information online about breastfeeding. This variety of opinions can be overwhelming and add a dose of stress to a very beautiful but delicate moment for you and your family. Luckily, we are here to tell you that whatever choice you make will be the right one for you and your baby. What matters the most is that you feel comfortable with your decision and have all the relevant information you need to determine what works best for you and your family.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Your Baby
There are a number of proven breastfeeding benefits for your baby. Studies have shown that its positive impact goes well beyond their first months. Here are some of the most important ones:
Breast milk is the perfect source of nutrition for your baby.
Your body produces exactly what your baby needs. Breast milk changes and adapts to every stage of your baby’s growth as they will need different kinds of nutrients throughout their development. The first days after delivery, your body will create colostrum (the first milk you produce after giving birth). It is a superfood that is packed with proteins and vitamins and is lower in sugar than regular breast milk. After that, the milk you produce will have different characteristics to provide your baby with all the nutrients they need in every particular stage. In this sense, breast milk is specially designed to meet your baby’s nutritional requirements.
Antibodies pass from mother to baby through breastfeeding.
Breast milk gives your baby powerful antibodies to strengthen their immune system, protecting them against many viruses, bacteria, and illnesses. Formula isn’t able to replicate these antibodies as they are particular to each person.
Breast milk protects babies from many diseases.
Breastfed babies have a lower risk of developing many conditions. Studies revealed that breastfeeding decreases the chances of developing allergies, asthma, type I and II diabetes, Crohn’s disease, respiratory illness, bacterial meningitis, ear infections, and even leukemia. It also lowers the rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and infant mortality in general. This is why breastfed babies report less hospitalization time.
Breast milk helps babies maintain a healthy weight.
The milk you produce will have the perfect balance of vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients given that your body adapts to your baby’s needs. This means your baby will gain the right amount of weight in each stage. They will develop healthy gut bacteria that will help them better absorb nutrients. Also, they get less stomach aches because breast milk is easier to digest than cow’s milk, soy milk, or formula. This allows them to eat regularly without feeling pain or discomfort.
Breastfeeding benefits extend into adulthood.
Adults that were breastfed are less likely to develop cardiovascular diseases, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many other conditions. They are also less likely to be overweight.
Your baby will benefit from your breast milk even if you complement it with formula or you only breastfeed for the first months. Here is a table to better visualize the benefits of breastfeeding by month:
| Month | Benefits |
| 1-2 | The immune system is strengthened. Protection against respiratory infections and stomach problems develops. The risk of SIDS is reduced by 60%. |
| 3-4 | There is a decreased risk of developing asthma in the first two years. The baby suffers less from diarrhea and their digestive system continues to strengthen. |
| 6 | There is a significant reduction in the risk of ear and respiratory infections. In addition, protection against autoimmune diseases and allergies is also evidenced. At this stage, there is a 19% decrease in the risk of leukemia. |
| 9 | Your baby’s growth and motor development are highly benefited by breast milk. |
| 12 | At this point, the benefits of breastfeeding will likely last well into adulthood. Protection against a host of diseases will last a lifetime. Your baby will have less risk of obesity and heart problems. They are also likely to have better teeth and speech development. |
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Moms
There are also important breastfeeding benefits for parents. You will find great advantages to breastfeeding, from saving money to lowering the risk of many illnesses.
Breastfeeding helps your uterus go back to its previous size.
During pregnancy, your uterus expands. After you give birth, it goes through a process called involution, which is when your uterus goes back to its former size. Oxytocin, a hormone produced in great quantities during labor and breastfeeding, stimulates your uterus to contract to its pre-pregnancy size. The uterus of women who breastfeed normally goes back to its previous size in about six weeks, while those who don’t can take up to ten weeks.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of many illnesses.
Women who breastfeed have a lower risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. It also reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, anemia, urinary tract infections, and many other conditions.
Breastfeeding is beneficial to a mother’s mental health.
Women who breastfeed are less likely to have postpartum depression. This is likely due to the high levels of oxytocin that your body produces during this period as well as the emotional connection you create while breastfeeding. Additionally, breastfed babies tend to cry less, which can decrease your stress levels and allow you to have more peace of mind.
Breastfeeding helps you save up money and time.
Parents who breastfeed don’t have to buy formulas, prepare their baby’s food, or clean any bottles. This is also helpful when going out, traveling, or even going back to work. You don’t have to worry about preparing formulas and keeping the bottle warm. Plus, breastfeeding will give your baby comfort in case of any change of routine.
Breastfeeding delays menstruation.
Your body produces prolactin, a protein hormone that promotes lactation. This hormone keeps ovulation from happening, meaning you won’t have your period. You may not have your period for up to a year if you breastfeed your baby daily.
Remember that choosing to breastfeed your baby is not purely a yes or no decision. You can always complement it with formula if any situation in your life makes it easier and simpler to bottle-feed your baby. Your baby will still get the benefits of breast milk even if you don’t exclusively breastfeed. However, it is recommended to exclusively breastfeed your baby for up to six months. After that, you can add solid foods to their diet.
Trust yourself and don’t feel ashamed or guilty if any situation keeps you from breastfeeding your baby. It is a challenging experience; you should focus on taking care of your baby’s health and your own comfort. The way you choose to feed and raise your baby is a personal decision and you will make the right choice after talking to your doctor and researching the benefits of each method. Don’t overstress by being too hard on yourself. Contact us if you have any doubts about you or your child’s health; the best way to be sure about any decision is to talk about it with your medical team. At DFW Family Clinic, we have professionals who are respectful and understanding and will support you through every step of the process.
