The Importance of Breastfeeding
Not Only for Babies but for Mothers too Numerous studies have been conducted on the importance of breastfeeding that cannot be duplicated in other forms of feeding. Breast milk has proven to help keep babies healthy by providing all the necessary nutrients. Breastfeeding offers a multitude of benefits for mothers, many reasons relating to health also. Breastfeeding is good for the environment and society. The amount of money saved is satisfying too. Breastfeeding offers too many advantages that should not be overlooked. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should be exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of their lives. They also encourage continued breastfeeding after babies
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Besides the emotional gratification a mother receives from breastfeeding her child, she also receives tons of health benefits. Nursing mother’s have a reduced risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer and are less likely to develop diabetes. Like infants, mother’s whom breastfeed also have a reduced risk of developing diabetes. When a mother nurses her child, her body naturally releases the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin helps contract the uterus after childbirth. Health wise, oxytocin has shown to decrease blood pressure, reduce depression, and encourage relaxation. Breastfeeding delays the process of the menstrual cycle returning, which also acts as an additional form of birth control. Studies have shown that women who breastfeed lose weight quicker than those mothers who do not. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, “breastfeeding helps a woman to lose weight after birth. Mothers burn many calories during lactation as their bodies produce milk. In fact, some of the weight gained during pregnancy serves as an energy source for lactation.” The emotional health benefits gained from nursing a child cannot be overlooked. Being able to provide a child with all their necessary nutrients promotes an incredible attachment between mother and
There are many different studies on what diseases and health risks are avoided from breastfeeding. It also states how long mothers should breastfeed their babies to have the best health outcomes. Eidelman and Schanler are both medical doctors that have studied in neonatology. Their article draws from over one hundred and fifty credible sources, which makes their article credible. This article will be used to support my topic of the health benefits for the mother and
The baby’s health is a main concern and in order to keep him or her healthy, mothers should breastfeed. Heather M. Kolinsky’s research proves that babies who are breastfed for at least the first six months of birth are “less likely to contract a wide range of infectious diseases.” The reason for this is because breast milk is made distinctly for the child. There are specific nutrients provided in breast milk
Nutrition and breastfeeding are essential parts of the nursing mother. It is essential because without it we would have a world with sick, underdeveloped, malnutritioned, and untrusting individuals. Fortunately breastfeeding gets rid of all these extremities. Feeding from the breast is something that protects not only the mother, but the baby too. There is nothing else in the world like it. Some nutrients in it are only found in a human body. What else could a mother ask for? All the diseases that are easily acquired by a defenseless organism of a baby are now stoppable because of the mother's natural resistant and supplier of necessary material. That resistant and material is breast milk.
Breastfeeding is when a woman feeds her child from her breast. Breastfeeding has been around since before the 15th century. In addition to strengthening the bond between a mother and her baby, breastfeeding offers a number of benefits for both a mother and her child. Babies who are breastfed have lower risk of meningitis, various cancers, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, bacterial and viral infections, childhood leukemia, allergies and obesity. Mothers have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as osteoporosis. All mothers no matter where they are weather it be the mall, park, restaurant, or just out running errands need to have their right to breastfeed protected.
Breastfeeding is best for mom too. Increased levels of oxytocin stimulate postpartum uterine contractions, reducing blood loss and encouraging uterine contractions. From 3 months to 12 months postpartum, breastfeeding increases the rate of weight loss in most nursing mothers. Breastfeeding has even been found to lessen the severity of postpartum depression by keeping the hormonal levels more balanced. Breastfeeding also reduces the mother’s risk for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis, (Shinskie and Lauwers, 2002). It is important that the lactation consultant collaborate with the mother shortly after delivery to eliminate frustration and prevent the abandonment of br...
Breastfeeding is the most protective, nutritional, and natural way to provide nourishment to infants. Human milk contains several nutrients including: vitamins, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and minerals. These nutrients are imperative for an infant’s developmental growth. Human milk also reduces the risk of developing morbidities, especially within premature infants. Premature infants, who are more prone to infection due their immune systems, benefit from human milk. Compared to artificial formulas, human milk provides antibodies and other beneficial nutrients to help with the development of the infant.
Breastfeeding helps to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and breast, ovarian, uterine, and endometrial cancer later in life.
The infant and mother create a bond between the two of them and the mother usually feels more confident about raising her infant. “By holding your infant safe in your arms and providing them with nourishment from your body, you as a mother are offering your infant a sense of continuity from pre- to post-birth life. Allowing your infant to have this time, you are promoting their understanding of a sense of love and protection and security that they need to adjust comfortably into this new world.” (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2015). When breastfeeding, the mother is able to lose more weight and may return to her pre-pregnancy weight with ease. Due to hormones released when breastfeeding, the mother’s menstrual cycle will come to a stop making it harder for her to conceive again before her body is ready. There are many risks that are lowered when breastfeeding, such as; lower risk of postpartum diabetes, postpartum ovarian and breast cancer, and rheumatoid
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months of life, meaning no additional foods or fluids unless medically indicated. Babies should then continue to breastfeed for a year, or however long the mother or baby desire. Most people do not understand the importance of breastfeeding mainly because they are unaware of the benefits of breast milk. Research shows a significant correlation between breastfeeding and intelligence, such as a higher IQ. Researchers are not sure whether breastfeeding causes a higher intelligence or if it is just an association.
Breastfeeding also gives you more time to spend with your baby. Breastfeeding is something special only you are able to share with your baby. Some might find this as selfish or some might think they couldn’t emotionally handle being the only one able to feed baby. However, I see this as a special, beautiful experience only you can give your child. Someday when your child is grown and doesn’t need you to thrive, you will look back on these special moments that only you and your child could share with each other. With all the fancy breast pumps on the market today, a mother can easily pump milk for her child when away. My breast pump is like my best friend, without it I wouldn’t be able to leave my child for more than a couple hours. The great
What are the benefits of breastfeeding, you might be wondering? Well for starters breast milk is very crucial for a newborn. Not only does it feed and
Let me begin with this. Public breastfeeding is NOT exhibitionism. It is simply the act of feeding a baby. Nonetheless, women are still facing widespread discrimination in public for doing so.
benefits for both the mother and the child. Many researchers have concluded that breast milk helps improve overall infant health and reduces risks of some diseases and cancers for the infant as well as the mother. According to Newman and Pitman, there are numerous health benefits for a breastfed infant. They describe that breast milk contains anti-bodies that keep a child from getting ill, and that the milk’s composition changes as the child grows to better protect and benefit the immune system and growth of the child (Newman, Pitman 19). The most immediate health benefit for the infant is the reduction of the chances of an infant dying from sudden infant death syndrome, more commonly known as SIDS or crib death (Newman, Pitman 11). More long term benefits are reductions for the chances of a child developing diabetes, asthma and other respiratory diseases, ear infections, and even cancer development during childhood. There is also evidence of a reduced chance of a breastfed child developing Crohn’s disease or forms of heart disease, as well as minor health problems such as allergies and eczema (Newman, Pitman 11-12). Newman and Pitman also write that children who were breastfed show signs of more enhanced brain development and tend to score higher on tests than those children who were formula fed, due to the fact that breast milk is made for humans by humans and therefore already contains the nutrients that are essential to brain development (10). As is the case with infants, breastfeeding also contributes to health benefits for the mother. In an article published in the Journal of Women’s Health, God...
To say nothing of a mother’s own personal preference in feeding technique breastfeeding is clearly the healthier and most beneficial option for mother and child. The positives of breastfeeding are astounding with its healthy traits not just for the child, but the mother as well (The Nemours Foundation). There is also the psychological stability and confidence that breastfeeding provides the mother with (Mezzacappa, Elizabeth Sibolboro, and Edward S. Katkin.). Not to mention its portability and cost free status (American Pregnancy Association). Overall, breastfeeding is the most effective option for mothers to feed their children.
Breastfeeding provides a wide array of health benefits for both baby and mother, while simultaneously enhancing the bond between mom and her baby. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer. Their babies see a boost in cognitive development, as well as lowering their chances of being obese as adults, unlike formula fed babies. Consequently, a lower risk of obesity correlates to a lower incident of a wide array of comorbidities such as