There are several benefits of breastfeeding, both to the baby as well as to the mother.
Breastfeeding helps to encourage closeness and bonding between the mother and baby. [1]
Additionally, here is a list of the other benefits of breastfeeding:
Benefits to the Baby:
- Breastmilk is a great source of nutrition for the baby [2]
- Breastmilk contains important antibodies from the mother that can help boost the new born's immune system to reduce the risk of infections [3]
- Breastfed babies have a lower risk of getting various infections such as intestinal trace infections or even allergies [4]
- Breastfed babies also have a lower risk of obesity in the future [5]
Benefits to the Mother:
- Breastfeeding helps in postpartum weight loss [6]
- Breastfeeding reduces your risk of breast and ovarian cancer [7]
- Breastfeeding helps in fostering a close bond between mother and child and lowers the risk of postnatal depression [8]
- Breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract postpartum [9]
- Breastfeeding also acts as a natural method of birth control for the first 6 months [10]
- It can also help you save a significant amount of money in buying formula milk
Hope this helps and all the best!
Regards,
Dr Michelle Chia
References:
1. Britton JR, Britton HL, Gronwaldt V. Breastfeeding, Sensitivity, and Attachment. PEDIATRICS. 2006;118(5):e1436-e1443. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-2916
2. Michaelsen KF, Larsen PS, Thomsen BL, Samuelson G. The Copenhagen Cohort Study on Infant Nutrition and Growth: breast-milk intake, human milk macronutrient content, and influencing factors. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1994;59(3):600-611. doi:10.1093/ajcn/59.3.600
3. Van de Perre P. Transfer of antibody via mother’s milk. Vaccine. 2003;21(24):3374-3376. doi:10.1016/s0264-410x(03)00336-0
4. Duijts L, Jaddoe VWV, Hofman A, Moll HA. Prolonged and Exclusive Breastfeeding Reduces the Risk of Infectious Diseases in Infancy. PEDIATRICS. 2010;126(1):e18-e25. doi:10.1542/peds.2008-3256
5. Singhal A, Lanigan J. Breastfeeding, early growth and later obesity. Obesity Reviews. 2007;8(s1):51-54. doi:10.1111/j.1467-789x.2007.00318.x
6. Dewey KG, Heinig MJ, Nommsen LA. Maternal weight-loss patterns during prolonged lactation. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1993;58(2):162-166. doi:10.1093/ajcn/58.2.162
7. Stuebe A. The risks of not breastfeeding for mothers and infants. Reviews in obstetrics & gynecology. 2009;2(4):222-231. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2812877/. Accessed August 15, 2019.
8. Watkins S, Meltzer-Brody S, Zolnoun D, Stuebe A. Early Breastfeeding Experiences and Postpartum Depression. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2011;118(2, Part 1):214-221. doi:10.1097/aog.0b013e3182260a2d
9. The health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers | British Journal of Midwifery. British Journal of Midwifery. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjom.2005.13.6.18361. Published 2010. Accessed August 15, 2019.
10. Tommaselli GA, Guida M, Palomba S, Barbato M, Nappi C. Using complete breastfeeding and lactational amenorrhoea as birth spacing methods. Contraception. 2000;61(4):253-257. doi:10.1016/s0010-7824(00)00101-3
