Breastfeeding can be extremely rewarding and emotionally satisfying for both you and your baby. It has definite physical and emotional health benefits for you both.
Benefits for your baby
- Mother’s milk is the most nutritious food for your baby, helping ensure their best growth and development.
- It is easily digested by the immature digestive and excretory systems.
- It contains antibodies and living cells that provide protection and immunity against many types of infection.
- It contains unique proteins and fatty acids that stimulate brain development.
- It lowers risk of allergies.
- It is constantly available at the right temperature and cannot be contaminated.
- Promotes proper jaw and teeth development.
- Long-term health benefits—lessens the risk of being overweight and developing heart disease in adulthood.
- Breastfeeding enhances bonding by the warmth and security of skin, eye and voice contact, as well as stimulating your baby’s sense of taste and smell.
Benefits for you
- Oxytocin is a hormone released when you breastfeed, causing the uterus to contract, minimising bleeding and returning the uterus to its pre-pregnant state faster.
- As the milk production process burns calories, it helps you get back to your pre-pregnant figure, providing you eat healthily.
- Promotes bonding with your baby, emotional satisfaction and a feeling of well-being.
- Decreases the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer.
- Convenient and readily available, requires less preparation and equipment, and makes socialising and traveling easier.
- Economical – no need to buy infant formula, bottles or sterilizing equipment.
Note: You may need bottles and sterilizing equipment if you express milk for your baby.