Ten Health Benefits of Breast Feeding

Breast feeding was once more popular than it is today. With many women holding down jobs and other responsibilities, this time honored practice seems to be going by the wayside. Breast feeding your baby does have many advantages and benefits both to the baby and to you. Here are some of the advantages to breast feeding your baby:

1. Breast feeding is quite economical.

When you breast feed, you save the cost of purchasing baby formula as well as repeated trips to the grocery store.

2. Breast feeding can help you burn more calories.

Want to lose those excess pregnancy pounds? Breast feeding may be your answer since it burns up additional calories. it may be the additional calorie burning benefit you need to lose those last stubborn pounds.

3. Breast feeding may reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Many studies have shown that breast feeding reduces the mother's risk of developing future breast cancer. With breast cancer being as common as it is, this can be a significant benefit.

4. Breast feeding is a natural form of contraception.

Although you're much less likely to ovulate and conceive when you're breast feeding, it's best to use another form of contraception since it isn't 100% effective.

5. Breast feeding is a great way to bond with your new baby.

The close contact and nurturing effects of breast feeding help you to build a strong bond with your newborn. It can be a nice stress reliever for you. It's nice to be able to spend uninterrupted quality time with your new baby.

6. Breast fed babies tend to be healthier than bottle fed ones.

Studies have shown that babies who are breast fed actually have a higher survival rate than those that are bottle fed. They also have better physical and mental patterns of development according to some research.

7. Breast feeding gives an immunologic boost to your baby.

One of the many benefits of breast feeding is the transmission of important antibodies from you to your baby. This can reduce your baby's risk of develping certain infections and other types of diseases during childhood.

8. Breast feeding can help calm your child.

Breast feeding has been shown to benefit an infant by calming him. This can mean more nights of sleep for you.

9. Breast feeding has been shown to enhance cognitive development.

Studies have shown that infants who receive breast milk have higher I.Q. scores on average when they reach school age. This difference is small, but significant.

10. Reduced risk of disease in the infant and child.

Breast fed infants have been shown to have a lower incidence of a variety of childhood diseases including several types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis and allergies. These breast feeding benefits may come from the antibodies that are transmitted from mother to child during the feeding process.

As you can see breast feeding your new baby carries with it a variety of advantages and benefits that can affect both you and your baby. The benefits of breast feeding your infant can extend well into childhood, affecting his chances of developing a variety of medical conditions. It's a decision that requires careful consideration.