You likely have heard about all the reasons that you should breastfeed your baby – including reasons related to the baby’s well-being, immune system, and more. However, many mothers are not as familiar with their own benefits of breastfeeding. In actuality, the process has a lot of give and take that make it worthwhile for everyone involved.
Recovery
Breastfeeding helps you to recover more quickly from childbirth. Oxytocin, a hormone released during nursing, helps to reduce postpartum bleeding and helps the uterus return to its normal size. It also contributes to delaying the return of your menstrual period, so you have more time between possible pregnancies. As an added bonus, breastfeeding burns calories, so you can get down to your pre-pregnancy weight more quickly.
Connection
No, it’s not all in your head when you feel connection and bonding while breastfeeding your baby. It does provide time for an emotional connection, but the fulfilment that you feel has a scientific backing as well. Breastfeeding causes the release of oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that create feelings of peace and attachment.
Convenience
As a mobile feeding source, you do not need to prepare several bottles ahead of time with formula in order to take your baby away from home for the day. If you are out longer than expected, it’s no big deal. You can also quickly and easily feed your baby at night without having to mix a bottle of formula or warm one up.
Finances
Breastfeeding is much less expensive when compared to feeding your baby with formula. Most moms only need to consume a few hundred extra calories per day to be able to produce milk, but formula can cost up to $10 per day depending on the brand that you need to purchase and the amount that your baby drinks. Even if you have to purchase a pump or other breastfeeding supplies or supplements, the cost is still far less than formula for twelve months.
Of course, many moms are unable to breastfeed or simply do not wish to do so. Although breastfeeding is recommended by major health organizations (such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization) and has many benefits for both mom and baby, formula is also a responsible choice. Choosing to breastfeed or formula feed is a personal choice for families, and your baby’s doctor can help you determine the best option for feeding your baby.
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Abdominal Myomectomy")
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Anterior Colporrhaphy")
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Anterior Exenteration")
