What are the benefits of breastfeeding babies? Many moms are faced with familial and societal pressure of deciding whether they want to breastfeed or formula feed. Before making the decision based on others experiences or the latest baby marketing trends, read on to find out how breastfeeding benefits baby, mom and your community!
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Baby
- Decreases risk of mortality
- Reduces risk for asthma, upper respiratory infections, allergies, ear infections
- Less risk for colic, reflux, gas, diarrhea, constipation, GI pain
- Decreases risk for obesity, type 1 diabetes, Autism, ADHD
- Increases intelligence scores
- Reduces risk for narrow facial development
Mom
- decreases risk of unwanted shorter pregnancy intervals
- Satisfies baby’s emotional needs and increases bonding between mother and baby
- reduces risk of PPD
- Helps mom to lose ‘baby weight’
- reduces risk for high blood pressure
- decreases risk for ovarian and breast cancers
- increases work attendance due to healthier baby
Community
- More bonding opportunities for parents/children
- Higher IQ subgroups
- Do not have to worry about dangers of manufacturing errors/formula recall
- Reduced financial strain without costs of formula
- decreased waste production to make formula
- reduced health care costs
- decreased work absenteeism of parents due to infant/toddler illness
When making the decision between breastfeeding and formula feeding, it’s important to consider how it will effect mom, partner, baby, and your community! Research shows that breastfeeding comes with increased health benefits for both mom and baby, mentally and physically. Exclusively breastfeeding reduces the workload and financial burden on your partner. Finally, it reduces the carbon footprint in your community! Want to learn more? Join us at our Breastfeeding Basics class! Already in the thick-of-it and needing some support? Reach out and schedule a free screen with one of our certified lactation counselors and infant feeding specialists!
Written by: Jessica Keenan, MA, CCC-SLP/L, CLC
Taggedbreastfeedingformula feedinginfantbondinglactation counseling
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