Breastfeeding has many benefits for babies including less pneumonia, colds, ear infections, stomach infections and diarrhea. The benefits for moms are less well known. Here are 10 ways breastfeeding makes life better for you, the breastfeeding mom.
Breastfeeding helps your body absorb calcium more efficiently, reducing your chance of osteoporosis!
Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day, equivalent to running on a treadmill for 45 minutes, cleaning the house for 2 hours or doing an hour of Zumba. It’s like going to the gym without leaving your house!
Breastfeeding creates no pollution or garbage!
There have been cases of contamination through the use of powdered infant formula. Breastfeeding requires no mixing or artificial ingredients, eliminating the risk of contamination.
When your baby is hungry, no preparation is needed! Your milk is the perfect temperature, fresh and ready to serve. It’s always with you, even when you leave the house.
When a breastfeeding mom and baby are exposed to a germ, the mother’s body makes antibodies to that germ. Mom then passes that protective antibody to her baby through the breast milk. This means less illness for baby (and less time away from work for mom!)
You will save up to $3200 per year by not having to buy formula. Imagine what you could buy instead! Fewer trips to the doctor and less hospital visits compound the savings.
Breastfeeding exclusively (giving no other food or liquid) around the clock delays the return of menstruation. Some lucky women will have no periods for a full year. More money saved on feminine products and birth control!
The flavour of breast milk changes according to mom’s diet. Formula, on the other hand, tastes the same, day after day. The varying flavour of breast milk is thought to make the introduction of solids foods that much easier.
Breastfeeding is a great reason to stop, sit down and simply hold your baby. Gazing into those little eyes leads to a strong connection. You cannot spoil a newborn!
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