Breastfeeding offers a multitude of benefits for both mum and baby. Let's explore 12 incredible benefits of breastfeeding, highlighting why this natural practice is so important for both mother and child. Written by Melissa Jane Cook.
The World Health Organisation promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. We explore some of the benefits of the act of breastfeeding for both a mother and her baby.
Most moms are aware that their breast milk contains an abundance of nutrients and protective antibodies.
But there are various other advantages such as the intimacy it affords you and your baby. It is a beautiful way to bond with your little munchkin and increase physical closeness.
Breastfeeding also ensures you will hold your baby many times a day.
Erica Neser, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant is a wealth of advice on baby feeding and says, “Breastfeeding can increase a mother’s attentiveness to her baby’s needs, and increased holding, touching and eye contact promotes a strong and healthy attachment between mother and child.” Nesser continues, “Because breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin (the mothering hormone), the mother feels more connected to her baby and bonding is enhanced. Healthy attachment is a biological necessity for optimal brain development, and for long-term health and happiness.”
Although breastfeeding may initially take time and practise to perfect, once your baby is a few weeks old it is generally quick, convenient, easy and saves time and energy.
Benefits for the baby
- The act of breastfeeding requires a sophisticated coordination of the baby’s jaw and tongue muscles. Children who are breastfed are less likely to have problems with the alignment of their teeth or an overcrowded mouth.
- Breastfeeding enhances airway development. Together with improved jaw development, this may be responsible for a reduced risk of sleep apnoea.
- Babies who are fed directly from the breast are less likely to be overweight, as breastfeeding supports the baby’s innate sense of when to stop feeding.
- Breastfeeding may decrease the risk of disease, including middle ear infections, respiratory tract infections and cold and flu.
- Breastfeeding helps babies to fall asleep. They are able to relax in their mother’s arms as they are soothed, loved and fed to sleep.
Benefits for the mother
- Breastfeeding helps shrink the uterus back to its “new normal”.
- Breastfeeding decreases bleeding after birth.
- It ensures menstruation returns much later – the absence of periods helps to restore iron levels, which come under pressure during pregnancy and birth.
- Breastfeeding can extend the time between pregnancies by suppressing ovulation (although it is best to discuss a method of contraception during this time as an added safety measure).
- Breastfeeding can help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight earlier.
- Breastfeeding decreases the risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer, hip fractures, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis and high blood pressure.
- Breastfeeding hormones such as oxytocin help you to feel relaxed, peaceful and sleepy.
What if you don’t breastfeed?
Don’t stress if you can’t or choose not to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is only one of many ways to bond with your baby. There are other attachment parenting principles that will ensure you develop a deep connection, such as wearing your baby in a sling, skin-to-skin contact and baby massage.
FAQs on the Benefits of Breastfeeding
Why does the World Health Organisation promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months?
The World Health Organisation promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months because breast milk provides all the essential nutrients and antibodies needed for a baby’s development. It offers optimal protection against infections and diseases during this critical period of growth.
What are some nutritional benefits of breastfeeding for the baby?
Breastfeeding ensures that the baby receives an abundance of nutrients and protective antibodies. This natural nutrition lowers the risk of illnesses such as middle ear infections, respiratory tract infections, and the common cold and flu, thereby supporting the baby’s immune system.
How does breastfeeding benefit the mother-baby bond?
Breastfeeding enhances physical closeness and emotional connection between mother and baby. Increased holding, touching, and eye contact during breastfeeding promote a strong and healthy attachment. The release of oxytocin, often called the “mothering hormone,” further strengthens this bond.
What impact does breastfeeding have on a baby’s dental health?
The act of breastfeeding involves a complex coordination of the baby’s jaw and tongue muscles, which supports proper dental development. This helps in reducing the likelihood of dental issues such as misaligned teeth or an overcrowded mouth as the child grows.
How does breastfeeding influence a baby’s weight management?
Babies who are breastfed are less likely to become overweight. Breastfeeding allows the baby to develop an innate sense of fullness and self-regulate their intake, which helps in maintaining a healthy weight.
Can breastfeeding affect a baby’s sleep patterns?
Yes, breastfeeding helps babies fall asleep more easily. The act of breastfeeding provides comfort and security, allowing the baby to relax in their mother’s arms. This soothing environment helps the baby to drift off to sleep.
What are some uterine benefits for the mother post-birth?
Breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract and return to its “new normal” size more quickly after childbirth. Additionally, it decreases postpartum bleeding, which is beneficial for the mother’s recovery.
How does breastfeeding influence menstruation for the mother?
Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation, which can help in restoring iron levels that were depleted during pregnancy and birth. This delay in menstrual cycles is known as lactational amenorrhea.
Can breastfeeding act as a natural contraceptive?
Breastfeeding can extend the interval between pregnancies by naturally suppressing ovulation. However, it is advisable to discuss additional contraception methods with a healthcare provider to ensure comprehensive family planning.
How does breastfeeding help with postpartum weight loss?
Breastfeeding aids in postpartum weight loss as it burns extra calories. Mothers who breastfeed tend to return to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly compared to those who do not breastfeed.
What long-term health benefits does breastfeeding offer mothers?
Breastfeeding decreases the mother’s risk of developing several long-term health conditions, including breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, hip fractures, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and high blood pressure.
How do breastfeeding hormones benefit the mother’s well-being?
The hormones released during breastfeeding, such as oxytocin, help mothers feel more relaxed, peaceful, and sleepy. These hormonal benefits contribute to the overall well-being and mental health of the mother.
Is it okay if a mother cannot or chooses not to breastfeed?
Yes, it is perfectly okay if a mother cannot or chooses not to breastfeed. There are many other ways to bond with your baby, such as using a baby sling for close contact, practising skin-to-skin contact, and engaging in baby massage, all of which can foster a deep and nurturing connection.
How does breastfeeding affect the development of the baby’s airway?
Breastfeeding promotes better airway development, which, coupled with improved jaw development, can reduce the risk of sleep apnoea. This is particularly important for the baby’s respiratory health.
Why is healthy attachment important for a baby’s development?
Healthy attachment, facilitated by breastfeeding, is crucial for a baby’s optimal brain development. A strong mother-baby bond supports long-term health, happiness, and cognitive development, laying the foundation for the child’s future well-being and success.
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