Facts about breastfeeding can sometimes get overlooked in the frenzy of decision making that new parents often face. Between the info overload on the types of formula and bottles, to how long to wait before giving your baby solids, its no wonder that breastfeeding is considered outdated! However, breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby. Here are some super neat facts about breastfeeding you probably didn’t know!
1. Breast Milk Provides All Your Baby’s Nutrition
One of the neat facts about breastfeeding is that breast milk provides all your baby’s nutrition without supplements. According to the World Health Organization online, less than 40% of babies under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed around the world. Your baby will not need supplements until close to a year if you exclusively breastfeed. It’s a rare instance that babies aren’t getting what they need from mother’s milk before they turn one.
2. Your Baby’s Saliva Communicates with Your Body
While you are breastfeeding, your baby’s saliva is hard at work making sure your body knows what your baby is lacking! Your milk is full of minerals and vitamins, and your body knows when your baby is lacking in a necessary mineral. Breast milk is ever changing to meet baby’s needs and that is something that formula can never duplicate!
Frequently asked questions
3. Breastfeeding Burns Calories
It’s estimated that breastfeeding can burn up to 500 calories a day! Perhaps even more depending on how often your baby eats or how many babies you are feeding in the case of multiples. Now I don’t know about you, but burning calories while sitting on my couch watching TV sounds like a pretty good trade to me!
4. Higher Immunities for Mom and Baby Both
Breast milk is loaded with antibodies that help boost your baby's immune system and lower risks of catching many sicknesses and diseases later in life. That tidbit is pretty common knowledge throughout the breastfeeding world. But did you know that if your baby is exposed to a germ that you have never been in contact with, through breastfeeding you can build immunity to that germ? What a beneficial relationship!
Discover the most enchanting halloween costumes for kids in our late selection. We've curated a range of classic, unique, and fun outfits that your little ones will adore. These costumes guarantee a memorable Halloween that's sure to enchant your family and friends alike. Redefine the Halloween experience with these incredible costumes.
5. Better Jaw Development for Baby
Breastfeeding is hard work for your little baby. Bottles have larger holes in the nipples so that the milk flows out faster than your breast, making breastfeeding more work for your little one. This is good because it encourages strong jaw development and excellent muscle growth in the mouth and neck. Breastfed babies are less likely to need as much dental work down the road!
Gallery Spotlight
Save and share the images that inspire you. Tag @allwomenstalk to get featured.
Save
6. Breastfeeding Lowers Baby’s Risk of SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a very real and very scary thing. Many of us probably know someone who has dealt with SIDS. While breastfeeding will not entirely eliminate your baby’s risk of SIDS, it will reduce it considerably. According to askdrsears.com, babies between 2 and 6 months of age are more likely to pass away from SIDS then any other age.
7. Breastfeeding Requires Dedication
Now with all these wonderful facts on breastfeeding, I could hardly let you go on thinking that breastfeeding is a walk in the park. It does require dedication, and hard work. However, it DOES get better. And it’s definitely easier than fixing bottles and warming formula up! Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift that only you can give your baby.
Being a new, breastfeeding mom myself, these facts were pleasantly surprising to learn! If you are debating between the bottle and the breast, I would highly encourage you to research your options. Make an informed decision! Formula is a gift for those mothers that cannot breastfeed, but breast milk is loaded with benefits that formula can never duplicate. Are you considering breastfeeding?
Comments
Jojo: Ur v welcome @ ya tan xxx
splashhhh: Yea and saggy breasts
Ya: What if you're an A cup, can you still breast feed ?
Elysium: This article was written to create some sort of drama. It's a personal choice wether you choose to feed your baby breast or bottle. Both are sufficient and both have its own benefits. I've seen first hand in my family women that breast fed their kids and those kids are not exempt from getting sick or having bad teeth. It's really silly to say if you breast feed your child is less likely to get sick. No arguing that formula doesn't replicate the same antibodies as breast milk. But as for the rest of the claims I don't believe it. A bottle feeding mother won't have a less if a bonding exp with her child either. Besides, in the long run when the kids grow up and become adults do you really think they will care wether they were breast or bottle fed?! Lol um no. Stop trying to incite arguments of this nature and let women come together and support each other. Don't knock someone else's parenting style. You never know the reasons for their choices and quite frankly it ain't none of no ones biz.
Jaded: Good grief. Instead of shallow, self- serving reasons (saggy boobs) and immediately citing reasons not to feed your baby the way you are biologically made to do - just enjoy the article for the information it gives. Of course it's not a requirement to breast feed. That was never said in the article. Saggy boobs? Not in my case. The mother doesn't eat properly? I always wonder what compels woman to defend NOT breast feeding instead of supporting it. We support all different choices for women - why is breastfeeding vilified?
Taylor: saggy boobs < :(
pao: @ya tan yes you can always breastfeed no matter the size. You are going to be fine!
:
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge