Seven benefits to breastfeeding mom

1. Benefits of Breastfeeding to
Mother and Baby.
IN MY OWN WORDS
Anisa Edmund | Helping Mothers to Breastfeed | April 1st
2017

2. PAGE 1
Introduction
With the recent push to encourage breastfeeding mothers are usually told “Breast is best”.
It is a mantra sung to us and every clinicvisit during our pregnancy over and overwith little
to no explanation or meaning added. This paper seeks to outline 7 ways in which breast is
really best for both mother and baby.
These points are
− Boosting baby’s immune system
− Forming a lifelong bond
− Snapback?
− Sustainability in Parenting
− Helps with overall child development
− Protects mom from diseases (Cancers)
− A wonderful vacation form yourperiod and possible birth control

3. PAGE 2
Boosting Baby’s Immune System by Breastfeeding
Colostrumis the firstmilk that comes fromthe breast once thebaby is born. Thissubstance
is essential to the baby as it contains everything he/she needs to face the world. It is power
packed with “proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and proteins (antibodies)
that fight disease-causing agents such as bacteria and viruses”. Plainly put, this is the
ultimate cocktail that can protect your baby from all that is harmful as they make their way
through the world for the first time.
Remember, your baby has been cushioned inside your womb protected and safe from all
the viruses and illnesses in the world, this first milk is your first gift to them, to help them
navigate their first few months healthily.
How does this benefit mom? Well for starters you get the boost in ego because you know
you are already protecting your baby the best way you can. Also, no one benefits from a sick
newborn, trying your best to ensure his/her health will also ensure your sanity.
Mature Milk, which comes in after the first fewdays continues to provide a protective cover
to the baby. The properties of this milk are uniquely formulated specifically for your baby.
Research hasshown thatwhena baby is feeding directlyformthebreast,thesaliva transmits
to the mothers body what the baby needs. This information is used in mixing up the perfect
balance of vitamins, Proteins and fats that the baby needs. This means that breastmilk
changes for feed to feed and even during feeds.
If the mother is sick, antibodies that her system forms to fight against the illness is passed
through her milk on to her baby thus protecting him/her from contracting the illness.
Yup breast milk is basically downright amazing and these are just some of the ways it has
be revealed. Some others are – reduces SIDS risks, Fewer gastrointestinal infections, fewer
respiratory infections, fewer fevers, ear infections and more.

4. PAGE 3
Forming a Lifelong Bond
After carrying a baby for about 40 weeks, it’s not surprising that the baby still wants to rely
on you. After all, you voice has soothed them, your body has carried them, your energy has
nurtured them and you have been their entire existence for their entire existence.
At infancy, even when they look directly at you, they cannot see that clearly, and need to be
held within 6-12 inches from you. Breastfeeding is perfect because, if positioned correctly,
the baby will be the exact distance need to make out moms face.
Wouldn’t it be amazing that the first face the baby gets to see is that if his/her mother!
Especially since the first words would most likely be DADA, give yourself one win!
Snapback- Getting back to Pre-Pregnancy form Quicker.
Most new moms are eager to lose weight after they deliver. It is not a bad thing but I can
become a depressing thing for some. Breastfeeding exclusively helps in this instance.
After birth, breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract, which can actually feel like
contractions, these contractions help reduce post-delivery blood loss and the size of the
uterus.
Breastfeeding on infant exclusively also burns about 500 Calories a day, meaning, easier
weight loss (once you fight those cravings)

5. PAGE 4
Sustainability in Parenting
In the increasingly turbulent economic environment, breastfeed has been hailed as the
economic lifesaver to parents. Verses bottle feeding, breast feed is not just economical but
lifesaving.
Let’s do the math:-
Locally an average high quality baby bottle (Avent, Dr Browns) can cost anywhere for 35-50
dollars. They are also available in sets for about $400.00 a set.
Then we have to think of bottle brushes and sterilizers, sterilizing tablets and storage
containers for clean bottles.
Then the thermos, bottle warmer, replacement nipples etc.
Now add to this the cost of formula, formula containers, cereals, dispensers and the like,
the formula fed journey becomes quite expensive to start and to maintain.
In my case, when I formula fed my first daughter, I had to experiment with various formula
brands and blends before I got on that agreed with her. That in itself was very costly.
According to La Leche League International, the cost of formula can range anywhere from
$134 to $491 per month. That's $1,608 to $5,892 in one year, yes that is in USD!
Breastmilk on the other hand is always there, always at the perfect temperature, always
sterile, and always made for your baby’s specific needs.

6. PAGE 5
Helps with the Child’s Continuous Development
The WHO recommends breast feeding for at least six months but for as long as possible.
Recent studies have shown that breastmilk in the second year is still as important as in the
first.
According to Dewey 2001,
In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides: 29% of energy
requirements, 43% of protein requirements, 36% of calcium requirements, 75% of vitamin
A requirements, 76% of folate requirements, 94% of vitamin B12 requirements and 60% of
vitamin C requirements for the child.
While studies are still new, the evidence has been remarkable thus far which support
breastfeeding into the second year and beyond. According to Perrin (2016) “Human milk in
the second year postpartum contained significantly higher concentrations of total protein,
lactoferrin, lysozyme and Immunoglobulin A, than milk bank samples, and significantly
lower concentrations of zinc, calcium, iron and oligosaccharides.” This helps insure
continued benefits for your toddler. This provides mom with a boost of confidence, less
days where she is stressed with a sick child and continues developing the bond between her
and her child.
Protects Mom from Diseases
Studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces the risk of the mother getting
premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer. It also reduces the risks of osteoporosis
in the mom and has been linked to a reduction in childhood cancers for the baby.
A Wonderful Vacation from your Period and possible Birth
Control
One of the things no one told me about breastfeeding was that I wouldn’t see my period. I
am actually amazed that no one did because it is one of the most exciting aspects about
breastfeeding for me personally. This wonderful occurrence is called amenorrhea and it
differs from woman to woman and can be affected by the woman’s body and hormonal
composition, how often the baby nurses, if the baby is having supplemental feeds, pacifier
usage and if the baby nurses at night.

7. PAGE 6
Conclusion
While these are seven benefits discussed here there are so many more! Breastfeeding for
me has made me bold, proud and empowered as a woman and mother. It boosts
confidence, it helps protect our babies, it helps us lose weight, it protects us form illness
and it is cost effective.

8. PAGE 7
References
 Spotting and Irregular Periods: Normal While Breast-Feeding?
Written by Jessica Timmon
Medically Reviewed by Karen Richardson Gill, MD on February 10, 2016
Accessed on March, 14, 2017
http://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/spotting-while-breast-feeding
 Surprising Breastfeeding Benefits
Feeding your baby breast milk does more good than you might think. Here are 20
benefits.
Written by Carole Anderson Lucia
Accessed on March, 14, 2017
https://www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/breastfeeding/liquid-assets
 Breastfeeding Past Infancy: Fact Sheet January 19, 2016
Written by Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC
Accessed on March, 14, 2017
http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/