The Benefits Of Breastfeeding

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Since the invention of formula mothers have had trouble deciding how best to go about feeding their children. Each mother has their own preferred feeding technique, some of whom chose to use more than one feeding method depending on the situation. For some mothers breastfeeding is not a viable option for reasons such as lactation issues, busy schedules, and secondary caregivers (Mezzacappa, Elizabeth Sibolboro, and Edward S. Katkin.). Breast feeding does cost you a little bit of extra time and isn’t very practical for mothers on the move, however when you examine the health risks that come with not breast feeding your child, it is totally worth it. Notably breastfeeding has been shown to benefit the mother and child through its natural ability to aide in the mother’s mental stability, its health giving properties, its superior nutrient content compared to formula, and its accessibility.

Though breastfeeding is undoubtedly the optimum feeding method, it is not necessarily a possibility for some mothers (The Nemours Foundation). For example, couples who choose to adopt children are obviously not able to breastfeed their child because the mother is not lactating. Other mothers just simply do not have the time to breastfeed their children because they are busy running errands (Mezzacappa, Elizabeth Sibolboro, and Edward S. Katkin.). Another reason some mothers do not breastfeed is that they are using a babysitter so they need the babysitter to have some way to feed the child (Mezzacappa, Elizabeth Sibolboro, and Edward S. Katkin.). The reasons behind bottle feeding are definitely sound, but they only prove that bottle feeding is an alternative method, not a replacement for breastfeeding. Th...

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...ar more cost effective than bottle feeding (American Pregnancy Association). The cost of formula alone can range from $54 to $198 per month, in addition to the cost of bottles and other feeding accessories (American Pregnancy Association).

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.