The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the benefits of bottle-feeding your infant. What kind of benefits does an infant receive by breast milk that s/he does not get from formula? How long should you continue breastfeeding your infant? These are both common questions posed by new mothers, and I can give you the answers.
For one, breast milk contains important nutrition to help build your infants’ immune system. It was proven that breastfed babies suffer from less sicknesses throughout their lives than bottle fed infants. They also experience every sniffle and sneeze that the mother has through her breast milk, in turn giving the baby the antibodies to help ward off illnesses that the mother has had. Breastfeeding is also believed to help fight obesity later in life and to contain more ‘good fats’ for the baby.
Breast milk is also rich in nutrients that formula just can’t replicate. It has many of the same ingredients as breast milk, but every mother produces breast milk for their child differently. Every persons breast milk is different, it even differs from child to child. The milk you produce is made uniquely for that child. It changes as the baby grows to accomodate the new needs. You also can change how breast milk tastes with what you eat. If you eat a lot of garlic, your breast milk will have more of a garlic taste to it. It is recommended that every breastfeeding mother stay away from drugs and alcohol, as everything you consume passes through the milk.
Breast milk is also detectable by babies even before they can see you. Babies know their mother by their scent long before they can picture them. Babies can smell their mother out of a crowd of breasts! If you put two used breast pads down next to your baby, one of yours and one of someone else’s, the baby will naturally turn towards their mother’s milk. Babies have a very sensitive sense of smell and can determine the difference shortly after birth.
I breastfed both of my boys. The first one for nine months, even though it is recommended for one year. The second one I am still currently breastfeeding. He is eight months old. There is no set number for how long you should breastfeed. It is highly recommended for the first year, though many moms don’t make it that far. Some woman even breastfeed until the child is two, three or even older.
Latching on can be hard for many babies. Not all babies latch on right after birth and some babies don’t get the chance to. Using a lactation consultant can help the process work better. Right after I had my children they latched on. I was lucky, most babies need a few tries to latch on properly. I also did not engorge like some women. One woman’s experience with breastfeeding is never going to be the same. One woman may have trouble and give up easily while another might be persistent and finally have success. Not all women can breastfeed and you shouldn’t be ashamed if you can’t.
There have been studies for years about the benefits of breastfeeding. Not all moms believe this and not all moms can or are willing to breastfeed. Some women even feel that breastfeeding is shameful. I, on the other hand, am a very proud breastfeeding mother. I gathered a sense of closeness to my children that I don’t think I would have had otherwise. I know I am doing them wonders by doing what nature provided me. My children will see the benefits long after they are done breastfeeding.
There are many things to consider before you make the decision. Don’t forget to ask your partners opinion, they too have a baby on the way. If you still aren’t sure wether to breastfeed or not there are many books and websites you can read. You can also find a lactation consultant or breastfeeding support group through your local WIC office.
