Benefits of Breastfeeding
There are so many decisions to be made concerning your new baby.
Whether to breastfeed or use a bottle is one of them. When
making your choice, consider the benefits of breastfeeding.
Breastfed babies receive a large amount of nutritional and
health benefits. They have lower rates of hospitalizations, ear
infections, rashes and allergies. They also have better vaccine
protection, meaning a higher response to immunizations. This is
due to the transfer of the mother's antibodies through milk.
All of baby's nutritional needs will be met. There are one
hundred ingredients in breast milk not found in formula. Breast
milk contains fatty acids, lactose, water and amino acids that
are essential. These, among other nutrients aid in digestion,
brain development and growth. It also promotes good jaw
development. Breastfed babies also have a lower amount of trips
to the dentist when they are older.
Babies tend to have virtually no allergic reactions to breast
milk.
What about the psychological benefits? Touch is so very
important to any human, especially a newborn. With
breastfeeding, there is skin on skin contact, whereas a bottle
fed baby may not be touched by anything other than a hard
plastic or glass bottle. Time spent between a breast fed baby
and its mother aids in bonding. Baby gets an early sense of
attachment, security and warmth.
These are but a few of the multitude of positive outcomes from
breastfeeding. Many studies have been done and the results are
strongly in favor of breastfeeding over bottle feeding. It is
healthier for baby both physically and mentally.