Breastfeeding Benefits – For Baby
If you are a new mother-to-be, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about breastfeeding. You may even be thinking, “I was bottle-fed, and I turned out just fine!” That is exactly what I thought, but when I learned the breastfeeding benefits for both my baby and myself, I decided to give it a try. I speak from experience of having only breastfed my first child for 6 weeks due to my own health complications, but then successfully breastfeeding my second child for a year. Here is a summary of what I have learned:
1. The first substance that your breasts will produce (and have been producing during pregnancy) is called “colostrum”. Your body will make colostrum in the early minutes and days after the birth before your milk “comes in” a few days later. Colostrum is yellow in color, high in protein, low in fat, and high in antibodies, which helps protect your baby against illness and infection. It is also a mild laxative that helps your baby pass the first stool, which is called “meconium.” Baby formula has come a long way, but the presence of antibodies is something that formula will never be able to match! This is so important, because babies are born with immature immune systems, and need all the protection that they can get.
2. Studies have indicated that breastfed babies have a lowered incidence of ear infections, SIDS, obesity, asthma, and diabetes, to name a few.
3. Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, usually resulting in less colic and gas.
4. Another breastfeeding benefit is that there is less chance for your baby to be constipated. From experience, I can tell you that there is nothing worse than having a badly-constipated, formula-fed infant whose tummy hurts, because she can’t poop.
5. It’s so much more convenient to breastfeed. You don’t have to spend your time cleaning bottles and nipples and boiling water to make the formula, which gives your baby more quality time spent cuddling! And when going on outings, you don’t have to pack a bunch of bottles or worry about running out of bottles before you get back home! Breastmilk is always “on tap” – it’s always available and the right temperature for your baby. You don’t need to fuss with warming up bottles when you’re out somewhere or in the middle of the night. Your baby will particularly appreciate this if he/she has an impatient disposition and doesn’t like to wait long to be fed.
7. Breastmilk is smart! It changes its characteristics over time to meet your baby’s needs as your baby suckles and as your baby grows. Approximately, 48-72 hours after birth, colostrum changes into the breastmilk. There are two components to your breastmilk. First, your baby will drink the foremilk. It is thinner and watery, and helps quench your baby’s thirst. Secondly, the hindmilk is produced after several minutes of nursing, and has a high content of fat necessary for your baby to gain weight and feel satiated. Your milk cotninues to contain antibodies that help fight infections and illness.
Stay tuned….Next time I will blog about the breastfeeding benefits for you, the mother.
