I breast-feed not only because the doctor’s recommend it but also because of the long list of health benefits for both the mother and the baby. I breast-feed because my mom inspired me to do so by nursing me for 30 months. I breast-feed because of the overdose of oxytocin in my body, and because I love doing it and would have it no other way. I breast-feed because some crazy voice inside me tells me that I must, and it’s probably this crazy voice that kept me going for 20 months and helped me get through all the ups and downs and emotional turmoil.
There is however a few frivolous reasons below that sometimes help:
Always helps in escaping social gatherings –
All Indian moms know how many social gatherings we need to attend and how many unwanted advise (gyan) we get from the aunties around us. Is there any better way to escape then tell them your baby is hungry? No question asked…
It’s easier to take a boobie out –
It certainly is easier, than mixing warm and cold water for the right temperature and then adding the formula, always stressing if it’s too hot or cold for the baby.
Overfeeding and puking? Wait was it that?
If you breast-feed, then your baby will never overfeed, they just know when to stop. Even if you are formula feeding, the babies will never drink more than he/she wants to. But the mothers always want to feed them more than required, till they think the baby has eaten well.
Breast-feeding may also help decrease the risk of obesity in adulthood.
Poop smells better –
Oh yes, it does and I really don’t know why.
Travelling with boobs is much easier than travelling with formula –
There are times when you can forget your steriliser, you can take lesser formula, you may even forget your bottles, bottle brush and cleaning soap BUT you cannot forget to take what is yours. Life was so much simpler and travel was so much easier when the boys were younger than 6 months.
Never heard of constipation –
Breastfed babies can go unto 7-10 days without pooping as they don’t get constipated. That should definitely be added to one of the wonders of the world.
Getting uninterrupted night sleep –
It feels so good when you don’t have to get up and switch on too much light to wake your baby, just to see if you have made the milk in correct proportions. This is, however, true only if you co-sleep, others formula rocks.
Apart from these, there are a few much stronger reasons why breastfeeding should always be taken seriously. As we know, babies have a natural instinct to suckle and try to latch when they are born. With the help of a breastfeeding consultant, midwife or nurses in the hospitals, who specialize in getting the babies to latch, this journey becomes a bit easy. The known advantages of breastfeeding are many. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of Respiratory Tract Infections and Diarrhea, both in developing and developed countries. Other benefits include lower risks of Asthma, Food Allergies, Type 1 Diabetes, and Leukemia. Breastfeeding may also improve Cognitive Development and decrease the risk of Obesity in adulthood.
Other than these, it also strengthens the bond between a child and a mother, helps burn extra calories and helps in losing pregnancy weight faster, however, this is not true if you tend to eat much more calorie than your body needs for breastfeeding. Typically, a breastfeeding mother needs an extra of 1800-2200 calories per day to maintain an abundant milk supply.
Breastfeeding also releases the Hormone Oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may also reduce uterine bleeding after birth. Oxytocin is the feel good hormone or the love hormone and hence all the love that moms feel for their little ones. Some studies show that mothers with higher levels of oxytocin have lesser chances of Postpartum Depression and it also reduces the chances of suffering from an Ovarian or a Breast Cancer.
I definitely advocate breastfeeding but it’s completely a mother’s choice and a mother knows and does what is best for her baby. One thing, that you must remember while breastfeeding, is to assess your baby’s hydration. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help from the correct people. Related
