Why Breastfeed? 10 Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom and Baby

During my first pregnancy, I was overwhelmed with the number of important decisions I had to make—many of which I’d never even considered before becoming pregnant. Would my baby wear cloth or disposable diapers? Should we co-sleep? How will I feed them?

Although your doctor and your child’s pediatrician will give you guidance, some things will depend on your unique circumstances. When it comes to feeding your newborn, many experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding during the early months. But the reality is that challenges can arise, and only a little more than half of infants in the US are still receiving any breast milk by 6 months of age, according to the CDC’s most recent Breastfeeding Report Card.

Whether you’re struggling with nursing or just weighing the pros and cons of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, it’s natural to wonder why breastfeeding is important. While this is a personal choice for each family, there are actually many physical and emotional benefits of breastfeeding for the mother and baby that might sway your decision.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby

From increased bonding to enjoying less frequent illnesses and doctor’s visits, there are plenty of breastfeeding benefits for your baby. Take a look at some of these benefits of breast milk for your little one.

1.    Boosts Immune System

Your breast milk is full of vitamins, antioxidants, and antibodies that help boost your newborn’s immune system. You might be surprised to learn that experts even recommend continuing breastfeeding when mom is sick. According to UNICEF, this helps to protect your baby from illness, since your antibodies are passed to them through your breast milk. Similarly, when your baby is sick, breastfeeding is not only comforting for them, but it also helps to ensure proper nutrition and hydration so they can fight the infection.

Keep in mind: If you’re nursing when sick, it’s still important to take some precautions, like hand washing, wearing a mask, and resting when you need to. If you’re taking any medications, run them by your child’s pediatrician to confirm that it’s still safe to nurse your little one.

2.    Protects Against Health Risks

Research shows that breastfeeding also lowers your baby’s risk of certain health conditions, including later in life. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic state that breastfed babies have more protection against gastrointestinal issues, respiratory infections, ear infections, SIDS, leukemia, and more. They even have a lower risk of some long-term health problems, including asthma, eczema, obesity, type 2 diabetes, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.

3.    Supports Brain Growth and Development

Breastfed babies often have enhanced brain development, thanks to DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) and other nutrients found in breast milk. Some studies have even found that breastfed babies tend to perform better on intelligence tests as they get older. These same nutrients are also beneficial to eye development and nervous system development in newborns. Plus, all of that skin-to-skin time when you nurse your little one helps to promote bonding and keep them calm.

4.    Reduces Digestive Issues

In those early months when your newborn’s digestive system is still developing, your breast milk provides them with enzymes and proteins that can help with digestion. Formula, on the other hand, can be difficult for some babies to digest due to differences in protein composition or sensitivities to certain ingredients. Because of this, breastfed babies tend to have less digestive issues, like constipation, diarrhea, or gas.

5.    Meets Nutritional Needs

Your breastmilk is naturally full of healthy nutrients for newborns, like protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, which are essential for your baby’s growth and development. Although formula has many of these nutrients added, the naturally occurring nutrients in your breast milk are easier for your baby to absorb.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom

Breastfeeding has both short-term and long-term health benefits for mothers’ health and wellbeing. Check out these awesome advantages of breastfeeding for mom.

1.    Encourages Postpartum Recovery and Weight Loss

At the top of our list of breastfeeding benefits is how breastfeeding helps moms recover after childbirth. When you nurse your baby, your body produces oxytocin, which helps your uterus to contract and return to its normal size after delivery. Since breastfeeding burns calories, it may even help you lose weight postpartum, too.

2.    Reduces Health Risks

Amazingly, breastfeeding your baby now can help protect you from certain health conditions later down the road. According to the CDC, mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

3.    Supports Emotional Wellbeing

The postpartum period can be hard on moms physically and emotionally, but breastfeeding can help to regulate mood and promote relaxation thanks to the hormone oxytocin. In fact, studies show that breastfeeding moms even have a lower risk of developing postpartum depression and anxiety. Many moms find nursing to be a relaxing way to bond with their baby and feel a sense of accomplishment with overcoming any breastfeeding challenges that may arise.

4.    Minimizes Feeding Cost

Another advantage of breastfeeding your baby is cost. Of course, there may be some expenses associated with breastfeeding, but your breast milk won’t cost you a cent. When you consider the fact that many moms are eligible for a free breast pump through insurance—which helps you get back to work sooner—breastfeeding can be a good deal less expensive than formula feeding.

5.    Makes Feeding Convenient

While it may seem obvious, we feel this is definitely one of the benefits of breastfeeding for mom worth sharing. Breastfeeding can make feeding your baby so much easier, because you don’t have to worry about preparing bottles, mixing formula, or the possibility of formula shortages. If you’re leaving the house with your baby, just throw on a nursing top and bring your nursing cover along, and you’ll be good to go!

Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding

At the end of the day, is breast milk better than formula? There isn’t one right answer to this question—it really depends on you and your baby. While there are certainly many advantages of breastfeeding for mom and baby, ultimately how you feed your baby is up to you. Whether you choose to breastfeed, pump, formula feed, or any combination of these, you can rest assured that your baby is getting the complete nutrition that they need.