Breastfeeding Benefits – For Mothers

Last time, I discussed the breastfeeding benefits for babies.  Today, I’m going to let you in on the benefits that breastfeeding has for moms.

1. The most obvious benefit is the convenience it will offer for you.  You don’t have to waste time sterilizing bottles, nipples, and water.  Instead, you can use this time to rest or for taking a shower.  It is complete and utter decadence when you can take a shower before your husband gets home at the end of his workday!!  You also don’t have to worry about running out of formula when you’re out of the house for several hours at a time.
2. There are cost-savings to breastfeeding.  Formula has gotten really expensive, so why not use what mother nature has given to you?
3. The bonding experience is another breastfeeding benefit.  I believe that you can bond with your baby no matter what type of feeding you choose, as long as you sit down and enjoy the feedings.  Breastfeeding is only something that you, the mother, can do for your baby, and your baby relies solely on you for his/her nourishment for the first several months.  Breastfeeding allows a skin-to-skin experience that encourages cuddling and a sense of enjoyment of the new baby that you have brought into this world.
4. Nighttime feedings are much easier to handle by the mother when breastfeeding.  You may not even have to leave your bed to feed your baby.  We love our babies, but it’s not much fun to be in the kitchen warming up bottles at 3 a.m.
5. Breastfeeding promotes getting your body back to the pre-pregnancy state more quickly.    You may notice that when your baby is suckling in the early days after birth, that you feel uterine contractions (much like those of menstrual cramps).  This is your uterus shrinking back to its original shape and size.
6. Another breastfeeding benefit for moms is losing weight.  Even though you need to eat more when you’re breastfeeding, your body is so busy making milk, that your body needs to burn more calories to make this milk.  So you should be back into your favorite pair of jeans before too long!
7. Studies indicate that breastfeeding protects moms from breast and ovarian cancer.  It appears that the longer you breastfeed, the more you are protected.
8. Breastfeeding will also delay getting your period.  This was one of my favorites!! However, don’t rely on this as an effective form of birth control!  You just never know when you’re going to ovulate again!

As you can see, breastfeeding does not only benefit your baby!  The breastfeeding benefits that it offers you, the mom, are just as important!