The Many Benefits of Breast Feeding

Breast feeding was once more popular than it is today. With many women holding down jobs and other responsibilities, this time honored practice seems to be going by the wayside. Breast feeding your baby does have many advantages and benefits both to the baby and to you. Here are some of the advantages to breast feeding your baby:

1. Breast feeding is quite economical.

When you breast feed, you save the cost of purchasing baby formula as well as repeated trips to the grocery store.

2. Breast feeding can help you burn more calories.

Want to lose those excess pregnancy pounds? Breast feeding may be your answer since it burns up additional calories. it may be the additional calorie burning benefit you need to lose those last stubborn pounds.

3. Breast feeding may reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Many studies have shown that breast feeding reduces the mother's risk of developing future breast cancer. With breast cancer being as common as it is, this can be a significant benefit.

4. Breast feeding is a natural form of contraception.

Although you're much less likely to ovulate and conceive when you're breast feeding, it's best to use another form of contraception since it isn't 100% effective.

5. Breast feeding is a great way to bond with your new baby.

The close contact and nurturing effects of breast feeding help you to build a strong bond with your newborn. It can be a nice stress reliever for you. It's nice to be able to spend uninterrupted quality time with your new baby.

6. Breast fed babies tend to be healthier than bottle fed ones.

Studies have shown that babies who are breast fed actually have a higher survival rate than those that are bottle fed. They also have better physical and mental patterns of development according to some research.

7. Breast feeding gives an immunologic boost to your baby.

One of the many benefits of breast feeding is the transmission of important antibodies from you to your baby. This can reduce your baby's risk of develping certain infections and other types of diseases during childhood.

8. Breast feeding can help calm your child.