Every woman who has become or is just about to become a mother is confronted with the question of breastfeeding. Should I breastfeed my baby? Why is milk better than infant formula? What will happen to my breasts after breastfeeding? Who do I contact for help? We decided to figure out all the pros and cons for you to make your decision process smoother.
The decision to breastfeed your baby will require some effort and thinking based on your body and health conditions. Not every woman is meant for breastfeeding and this is ok. You must listen to your body and allow it to do what is best for you and your newborn.
Pros of breastfeeding
Nowadays, the assertion that breast milk is very healthy is out of the question. It has long been proven that with her milk, the mother transfers to the baby not only her immunity but also protection from most allergens and diseases, such as, for example, diabetes. Also, with baby milk, the child receives nutrients that do not exist anywhere else in nature.
Breastfeeding has a huge list of health benefits for the baby which helps support the development of your newborn.
Breastfeeding your newborn can lower the risk of the following:
- Ear Infections
- Colds and respiratory infections
- Eczema
- Diarrhea and Vomiting
- Food allergies
As if these reasons aren’t enough, breastfeeding even contributes to the intellectual development of your baby. Researchers have proven that breast milk can boost the IQ of your baby. They argue that acids contained in mother’s milk improve the cognitive development of the child and have a beneficial effect on psychomotor perception.
Although the main focus is always on your child, the mother’s health is equally as important. There are advantages for mothers on this list too. Firstly, speed and convenience; no bottles, no heating, no sterilization, so you can feed your little one as quick as possible. Secondly, this is a significant saving in the family budget, since prices for formula feeding are not cheap. This can be an easy efficient way to save money and time!
The mother also benefits in many areas physically:
- You burn extra calories, making it easier to lose the baby weight
- Helps regulate your period flow
- Helps your body release necessary hormones
- Helps maintain cholesterol
In addition, this process is actually beneficial for the health of a young mother. A woman who decides to breastfeed after childbirth is able to get back into shape much faster and more naturally because of breastfeeding. This is because of the uterus being able to contract quicker and more efficiently.
The most important and the ultimate advantage of breastfeeding is the love and warmth that the mother gives to her baby. It is contact between the two of you during feeding that offers your little child a sense of safety and security. The baby, feeling your warmth, without realizing it, receives the first positive emotions and gives them a sense of calmness and relaxation. It can become overwhelming as you are getting used to this process, but there are many tips that you can follow to be on your way to a successful breastfeeding journey.
Cons of breastfeeding
The positive aspects of breastfeeding are undeniable. But are there any negative aspects? Unfortunately, we have to confront the other side of the coin. For the whole nine months, the female body becomes a vessel for a new person, and changes after this natural process cannot be avoided. Often, breastfeeding mothers complain of hair loss and teeth sensitivity, all the strength of which goes to the baby. If you’re looking to breastfeed, you should be considerate of these possibilities and discuss this with your doctor. Too many women suffer from the fact that the breast after lactation loses its shape and elasticity. Some even begin to become very complex, up to the point that problems may start in intimate life. This is easily solved with the help of a unique set of exercises for the chest. Moreover, you can use them both at home or sign up for the gym, where a professional trainer will help you get in shape after giving birth.
Most of the cons will fall onto the mother as it is most beneficial for your baby to breastfeed.
You may suffer from these challenges if you choose to breastfeed:
- Discomfort and pain during the first few weeks
- You cannot exactly control how much your baby is eating
- You have to be very strict with your diet
- Maintaining a proper feeding schedule and sticking to it
A modern woman has a crazy rhythm of life, and many people want to return to their healthy way of life right after childbirth, while breastfeeding makes it to where you become attached to the baby. Of course, it is challenging to get milk for the whole day if mom has to be away. But many come out of this situation with ease, using right breast pump equipment and a freezer. Like any issue, there are both positive and negative sides when it comes to breastfeeding. We advise the expectant mother, even before the baby is born, to weigh all these pros and cons and decide what will be closer to her, not forgetting that any consequences are necessary for your child to grow healthy and calm.
Do I need any experience to breastfeed my baby?
Unfortunately, due to a large number of stereotypes, most young mothers fear of breastfeeding. Leading them to begin this process with pain and hassle, instead of joy and pleasure of solitude with the baby. All this comes from a lack of experience and information about the convenient and proper organization of breastfeeding.
It is best to contact an experienced consultant on breastfeeding, which will help you decide on the time, postures, and all other necessary nuances for an easy process. If you do not have such an opportunity, then the right pediatrician and a mother experienced in feeding will be just as helpful for you. The main thing is that the desire to feed the baby is sincere (and not as often the excitement of the parents), and then any difficulties will not be a hindrance, and the information and experience will come over time.
Most importantly, remember, it is not about the amount of milk or the frequency of feeding; it is about love! It is love that makes all mothers guard at the crib and falls asleep with the baby on the arms. Most of them are firmly convinced that with milk, you do not just give the baby nutrients, you give him or her your love. Of course, to feed or not to feed is the choice of every mom. Just do not forget that with milk, you allow your treasure to develop correctly, the ability to give and accept love.
