Breastfeeding, in itself, takes a lot of time and effort. However, the benefits will definitely outweigh the cons if you choose to stick with it. There is no shame in using formula. Use any means necessary to feed your baby. A FED baby is best! Nonetheless, if you are on the fence wondering if breastfeeding is really worth it or not, perhaps these 5 benefits will help you decide!
Breastfeeding Benefit 1: Antibodies
What are antibodies? According to www.genome.gove, an antibody is “a protein component of the immune system that circulates in the blood, recognizes foreign substances like bacteria and viruses, and neutralizes them.” Basically, it helps your body fight off infections. For example, if you get Flu A, there is a great chance you will not get it again that same year. The reason for this is because you will have antibodies built up in your immune system.
An antibody is “a protein component of the immune system that circulates in the blood, recognizes foreign substances like bacteria and viruses, and neutralizes them.”
So what does this have to do with breastfeeding? Keep in mind that all people are born with immune systems. As an adult, you have been exposed to various types of bacteria, viruses, etc. for years. Exposure to such helps build your immunity by creating antibodies. Nevertheless, a newborn does not have a strong immune system because he/she has had limited/no exposure. This is how breastfeeding can help your infant.
By breastfeeding, you, in turn, are passing your antibodies to your infant through your milk. In fact, mothers who pump milk and freeze it will commonly notice a change in the color of their milk. This color change occurs depending on your baby. If your baby has a sinus infection, your body will pass those antibodies through your milk and, most likely, change colors. Even breastfeeding mothers who have had COVID-19 have noticed that their milk changes colors during that time because your body is helping your infant also fight the virus. Even if you do not have the virus, your milk will change if your infant has it.
For more information about your milk color changing, visit the Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education. Breastmilk Changes During Infant Illness – The Institute for Breastfeeding and Lactation Education (IABLE) (lacted.org)
Breastfeeding Benefit 2: Nutrition
What is nutrition? The definition from Oxford Language dictionary is “providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.” Not only does your milk provide antibodies, but your body knows what your baby needs. Therefore, it provides the necessary nutrients to your infant. According the March of Dimes, breast milk contains the right amount of “protein, sugar, fat, and most vitamins to help baby grow and develop” (Breastfeeding is best (marchofdimes.org).
As your baby grows, you’ll notice that your milk will change. Why? Because your baby’s nutritional needs change as they grow. For that reason, your milk changes to make this accommodation. In fact, some women notice that they produce less milk during their menstrual cycle. Don’t worry; your body makes the milk contain more fat to make up the difference.
It is also worth mentioning that some researchers believe breastfed babies have a higher IQ. The reason for this? Breastmilk has higher amounts of DHA in it. DHA helps with cognitive development in your infant. If you want to read more, feel free to read BMC’s findings at Breastfeeding, prenatal depression and children’s IQ and behaviour: a test of a moderation model | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Full Text (biomedcentral.com).
If you’d like to learn more about what to eat while breastfeeding, read my article “What to Eat While Breastfeeding”
Breastfeeding Benefit 3: Bonding Time
Exclusively breastfeeding your baby during his/her first year of life will take a lot of time. In fact, it equates almost 40 hours a week. Breastfeeding is almost like a full time job, but there is a benefit to that. That provides a lot of bonding time between you and baby. Never again will you have that time exclusively with just you and your child. Take advantage! Enjoy the time with your baby. When you learn to enjoy it, it doesn’t feel like a job. Instead, you start to take in every moment to make it last.
Breastfeeding Benefit 4: Mom’s Health
For our culture, body image is a big deal. Keeping your body healthy is important, and it should be a priority. However, give yourself some grace. Afterall, you did just have a baby. You won’t just “snap back” right away. What could help you lose that way though? Breastfeeding! You can actually burn between 200-500 calories a day by breastfeeding alone. Add in some extra steps or light exercise, and you’ll easily shed that baby weight.
If you want to lose weight even faster, cut your calories. Try to eat more protein and less sugar. If you’d like to make a homemade protein shake, find my recipe in my article, “Homemade Breastfeeding Protein Shake”
Breastfeeding is not only good for losing weight. It also has been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer. If you breastfeed for longer than a year, it lowers it even more. So for each child you have and breastfeed, you lower your chances of getting breast cancer. Keep in mind that it only lowers your chances; it does not eliminate them.
Breastfeeding Benefit 5: Saves Money
If you’re choosing to breastfeed, you could also be saving some major money. If you’re on a budget, breastfeeding is definitely more cost effective. On average, most people spend over $1,000 a year on formula alone. That doesn’t account for baby clothes, diapers, and wipes. So if you’re on a tight budget especially, breastfeeding doesn’t cost anything. Your insurance company pays for your breast pump, and the pump comes with some bottles. If you have to buy anything, it’ll be some milk storage bags. The bottom line: breastfeeding saves money.
Overall, the benefits for breastfeeding are worth it. Your child is worth the investment!