There is one thing you can usually count on to calm an unsettled baby: the infamous breast. If you’ve ever seen a baby après breast milk you will know what I mean. There is often an angelic peace and satiation as if to say: “this is my idea of heaven”. If you are feeling over taxed by the demand, consider pumping and allowing a partner to bottle-feed the baby. Either way, it’s is incredible to stop and realize all of the health benefits you are able to gift your baby through your breast milk:
1. Immunity: Colostrum, which is present in the first breast milk you produce, has strong immune building properties that help your baby fight off germs and as a result have fewer cold and infections.
2. Perfect nutrition: Breast milk contains the perfect nutrient balance from protein and carbohydrates to fat, minerals and vitamins.
3. Less chance of developing allergies: Breastfeeding has been shown reduce the onset of food allergies later in life.
4. A higher IQ: Studies show that children who are breastfed have higher IQ’s and do better in schools.
5. Reduced risk of obesity: Research has shown that children who are breastfed have less chance of becoming obese.
2 Comments
Great post! I did know there where lots of benefits to breastfeeding but I wasn’t aware of THESE. I really want to breast feed (at least for a couple months) but I don’t really feel comfortable doing it for some reason (I know it’s a totally natural thing to do). They say the baby can sense when you don’t feel comfortable & then s/he won’t cooperate. If this happens I guess I’ll just pump all the time because I’d really like my baby to get breast milk for at least a little while.
There’s lots of nutrients available in breastfeed for sure, but I wouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself. Lots of people have trouble breastfeeding in the beginning, like my friend Maran (have you read When Breastfeeding is Difficult? So be patient with yourself!
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