Breastfeeding is amazing... but why? I'm so glad you asked... I have compiled the following list of just ten of the amazing benefits that come along with nursing a baby. Please note that I am not bashing formula in anyway -you can read all about the best formula options HERE – I know that a fed baby is better than an unfed baby.   BUT, there is no doubting the science (and just plain AWESOMENESS) that explains how our bodies, as women, creates the most perfect food for our babies. So here are the highlights.

Breastfed Babies Are…..

#1  Healthy. Your milk provides antibodies to the environment around you, helping your baby to not get the icky crud that gets passed around on a daily basis. Statistically speaking, breastfed babies are healthier than those who do not breastfeed and have a more stable and strong immune system, lowering their chances of colds, viruses, illnesses, and more serious problems such as:

• Bacterial Meningitis
• Heart disease
• Childhood Lymphomas
• Crohn's disease
• Asthma
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Cardiopulmonary distress
• juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Hodgkin's disease
• necrotizing enterocolitis
• Allergies
• Respiratory infections
• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Eczema

#2  At Lower Risk of SIDS. Dr. Sears discusses the science behind it HERE – but basically, a baby who exclusively breastfeeds has an almost 50% less chance of death due to SIDS.

#3  SMART.  An 18-year study proved that those who are breastfed as infants (and toddlers) have both higher intelligence and greater academic achievement than those who are not.

#4  A Healthy Weight. Breastfeeding infants are more likely to maintain a healthy weight throughout their lifetime.

 

#5  Not Picky Eaters. Breastmilk is very rarely the same flavor.  Babies are being exposed to all of the goodness that mothers eat, this leads them to usually enjoy a larger variety of foods than infants exposed only to formula.

#6  Emotionally Stable.   According to Psychology Today “The bond babies develop with their moms due to breastfeeding leads to better emotional development and stability. The act of breastfeeding and the skin-to-skin contact involved releases the hormones serotonin and oxytocin in both the mom and baby, which encourages a strong emotional bond between them.”

   

#7  Less Likely to have Cancer.   Breastfed babies have a 25% less chance of ever having breast cancer in their lifetime.

#8  Less Likely to Suffer from Ear Infections.  Fewer colds and illnesses leads to fewer ear infections.  Dr. Sears discusses more reasons behind the link between breastfeeding and lowered risk HERE.  

#9  Able to See Better.  Research shows that chances of preschool-aged ‘night blindness’ are greatly reduced with breastfeeding.

#10  Environmentally Friendly!  Breastfeeding produces no waste for landfills; not to mention there is no animal cruelty that can possible take place during the production of breastmilk. I could go on and on and on and on....    

Resources http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/03/21/breastfeeding-reduces-risk-of-sids.aspx http://www.notmilk.com/101.html www.kellymom.com http://www.llli.org/nb/nbbenefits.html http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/benefits-breastfeeding.aspx