In addition to other well known, and even not so well know benefits for both mother and child, it is now advised that breastfeeding your baby will actually reduce his or her risk for childhood obesity.One reason, is that when a baby is attached to the breast and nursing, they quit when they are full. However, usually, when a parent is bottle-feeding a baby, they often try and have baby empty the bottle, many times resulting in an stuffed belly.
This is also, teaching a baby to keep eating, past the point when they feel satisfied, and until they feel full, or unable to eat another "bite" so-to-speak.
In addition, breast milk may contain ingredients which work to help control a metabolic rate. Therefore helping to control future weight gain.
Because breast milk is genetically different and altered for each baby, there is no way for formula to be as good for your baby as breast milk.
Breast milk also helps to prevent diabetes, ear infections, and diarrhea in babies. It is also the cheapest, and easiest way to feed your baby. Not to mention, it helps to devour up the left 'behind' fat cells, after birth, shrink your uterus back to size, and releases feel-good-n-relax hormones for you.
5 comments:
you know one thing that gets me is that so many people look down on the mother who don't nurse. obviously everyone knows that it is great for the child but people fail to talk about just how hard it really is.
I have had 4 children and nursed them all. No problem. My sister on the other hand had great difficulty getting it started. Her first child would not latch, and the second did not want to eat at all. The most frustrating thing to me is the "help" they try to give you in the hospital! My first child they tried to get the baby in all these different positions, kept on trying to force my breast to her...it is very stressful and embarrasing. I am a strong voice for letting nature take its course! You hold the baby in a position comfortable to both of you, in private...If you want help you will ask! I just told the nurse I know what I am doing and voila, my first try alone was a success!! Yes you get sore the first few days and sometimes that discourages many people. However; I have not met very many moms who were determined to nurse their child not be able to. It comes naturally to some, I was lucky that way. To others it is hard, but can be done. However; for moms that opt not to nurse...its no big deal. This allows time for Dad, Grandma, or older siblings to take part in feedings and bond with the new baby as well. So to each their own.
Some more reasons to breastfeed:
http://www.promom.org/101/
I completly agree with the post that said they make you feel stupid and embarassed. The nurse that tried to help me also made me feel really awkward when trying to breastfeed my son. I had no idea how hard it would be. I felt like she was man handleing both of us. three nurses had a turn at trying to make my baby nurse, finally an older nurse came in and he would nurse periodically. i don't thin kthey should try and be so pushy when you tell them you dont want to do it. there is nothing wrong with educating someone but to ask why she doesnt want to nurse is a little rude if you ask me.
I bought a really great pump that I recommend to everyone I know. (ameda purely yours) It was really affordable, and worked great!! I breast fed my first until I got home from the hospital (which is when my milk really came in anyway) My nipples were soooo sore that I would literally cry when I was feeding him. The pumping really helped because there was no friction. It is a double pump, electric too. I would get 4oz from each side. So 8 oz per sitting 4 times per day. I loved pumping because Austin got all the benefits of B'milk, and we could still get out just the two of us, because I always had lots of milk stored, not to mention Dan could feed him once in a while too. The pump was easier than the Medela to clean ( I read LOTS of reviews before I bought one) because there are no tubes. If you are planning on breastfeeding, know that it is not always easy, and doesnt come naturally for everyone, get a good pump, and if it doesnt work out for you, try that.
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