To Breastfeed or Not To Breastfeed?

September 7, 2012 1:57 pm

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies should be breastfed exclusively during the first 6 months of life. After that, breastfeeding is still encouraged, as much as possible, until babies are at least one year old.

Although it is ultimately a personal decision, there are many reasons new mothers should consider breastfeeding their babies.

Breast milk is…

Nutritious. Breast milk contains most of the vitamins and minerals that a baby needs; however, the AAP recommends additional vitamin D supplements for breastfed babies until their diet provides enough vitamin D from fortified formula or milk products.
Natural. Breast milk is easily digestible, resulting in fewer tummy upsets and constipation.
Protection. Breast milk contains antibodies, so breastfed babies experience fewer infections and are less prone to chronic conditions in the future, such as diabetes, allergies, and obesity.
Free! Formula is expensive and breastfed infants are less likely to suffer from illnesses, which results in fewer trips to the doctor and, in turn, less health care expenses and lost wages from parents missing work to care for a sick baby.
Flavorful. Breastfed babies experience different tastes through their mothers’ breast milk, depending on what she has eaten. By experiencing the flavors of food early-on, breastfed babies transition easier to solid foods.
Convenient. Breast milk is always ready and there’s no need to warm it up!

Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for babies…

It has many benefits for nursing moms too, like:

It enhances the emotional connection between mother and baby.
It burns calories and helps the uterus return to its original size.
It lowers the risk of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
It may help decrease the risk of certain types of cancers.