Why Breastfeed?

As a mother, making the decision whether to breastfeed can be difficult. Hectic schedules, sensitive breasts, and the need for your constant presence can make breast feeding seem challenging. But breastfeeding is natural; it is your body’s way of nourishing your child perfectly. Here are 35 reasons why you should consider breastfeeding:

1. Breast milk is the perfect nutrition for babies at each stage of development.
2. Your milk is more easily digested than formula.
3. Your baby is less likely to die of SIDS.
4. Breastfed babies are more protected against illness, therefore
5. Babies who are breastfed get sick less often.
6. Breast milk is ready on demand and comes in a nicer package than formula.
7. Breastfeeding promotes bonding between the mother and baby.
8. It is less expensive than formula.
9. Breast milk is green! No packaging to throw away and there are fewer resources used to produce it, compared to formula.
10. Breast milk tastes better than formula. Try it.
11. Breastfeeding can help you lose the baby weight as breastfeeding requires an extra 500 calories per day.
12. Breastfeeding is convenient (no mixing, no late night trips to the store).
13. Mothers who do not breast feed have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
14. Breastfeeding helps decrease the need for insulin in diabetic mothers.
15. Breastfeeding reduces your risk of breast cancer.
16. Mothers who do not breast feed have a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.
17. Breastfed babies’ diapers are less odoriferous.
18. Nursing after birth helps reduce the size of your uterus.
19. Nursing after birth helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage.
20. Formula fed girls have a higher risk for breast cancer.
21. Breast fed babies have a lower chance of acquiring allergies.
22. Formula-fed babies have an increased risk of Type 1 diabetes.
23. Breastfed babies spit up less than their formula fed friends.
24. If you deliver a premature infant, you will produce milk that is made for your preemie.
25. Breast feeding protects your baby against Crone’s Disease.
26. Breast milk lowers the risk of asthma for the baby.
27. Formula-fed infants have a higher risk for ear infections (3 -4 times).
28. Your baby will have a lower risk for some childhood cancers.
29. Breast milk helps the baby’s intestines develop more quickly.
30. Colostrum (early milk) helps baby pass meconium.
31. Breast milk increases your baby’s IQ.
32. Breast milk can be used to help the body heal – pink eye, scratches and other issues are helped by using breast milk.
33. Breast milk provides a natural pain reliever.  Think teething.
34. Breasts are made to feed babies.
35. Sleep for you and your baby. Properties in breast milk will help soothe your baby to sleep.

The benefits of breastfeeding continue well into toddlerhood. Sadly, in 2003 only 36% of babies were still breastfeeding by 6 months of age in the US. In contrast, the rate at 6 months in Mongolia is 57%. Numerous studies have shown the milk a mother produces when the baby is over 2 years old is still very beneficial, and the protection breast milk provides lasts as long as the child breastfeeds. As a mother of a breastfeeding two year old, I have seen firsthand how much breastfeeding helps. Unlike my older daughter who weaned at 9 months, Abby has seen a doctor for illness only once in her life and often avoids the common colds contracted by others in our household. Breastfeeding is the right choice for us, and I hope it will be the best choice for your family as well. Happy nursing!