The Benefits Of Breast Feeding Far Outweigh The Difficulties

Of course you want to give your baby the best start in life and breast feeding is the single most important thing you can do to protect your baby and help to promote his good health. Another of the many benefits of breast feeding is that it costs absolutely nothing!

While breast feeding can save you a lot of money on buying formula, it can also help with your medical bills. Statistics show that breast fed babies get sick less often than formula fed babies. When they do succumb to illness they usually have a milder form and recover much quicker. Bottle fed babies suffer more often with respitory infections, ear infections and other medical problems. 

If there is a history of allergies in your family, breast feeding is even more important. Breast milk contains antibodies which are transferred to her baby during feeding. These antibodies protect her baby from allergies, food sensitivities and other illnesses until her baby’s immune system is mature enough to make his own antibodies.

The action of sucking on the breast actually helps develop and align the jaw. This could prevent expensive orthodontic work needing to be performed as baby gows older.

Breast milk is more convenient. It is available 24/7 and is always at the correct temperature for feeding. Breast milk also contains all the necessary nutrients in the way of vitamins and minerals for a growing baby. 

Not all the benefits of breast feeding are just for baby. Moms can benefit by the fact that breast feeding burns more calories than bottle feeding and that will help her lose weight – always a great benefit! At the same time she can create a special bond with her baby which is not always possible with formula feeding. The sucking action of the baby also causes contractions of the uterus, helping it to return to normal a lot faster.

It must be said however that not all mums are able to breast feed. If this is the case for you there is no need to feel guilty. Bottle feeding will still give your baby a good start in life. Baby formula has been considerably improved and now contains most of the components of breast mild including omega 3 and pro-biotics.