If you’re pregnant and considering breastfeeding your baby, here are some of the health benefits of breast milk for your child. Breast milk has anti-allergen properties, and may help protect your child from allergies, eczema, and other common childhood ailments. Human milk also has more easily digestible proteins than soy or cow’s milk. Breast milk is the best source of these nutrients, so your baby will benefit from breast milk’s immunity to colds and other infections.
Reduces risk of chronic disease
Recent studies have shown that breastfeeding is linked to reduced risks of many different diseases. Including CHD, stroke, and breast cancer, breastfeeding can help women protect their health. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Improves mood
Researchers have found that the physical and emotional benefits of breastfeeding extend well beyond the nutritional needs of the infant. Recent research has shown that breastfeeding improves the mother’s mood by increasing levels of oxytocin, the “bonding hormone” that helps milk move to the front of the breasts. Oxytocin is also released in the brain when a mother is in love, which suggests that breastfeeding can protect the mother from postpartum depression and speed up recovery from depressive symptoms.
Increases appetite
While it is true that nursing increases appetite, you should be careful not to overeat. Empty calories will interfere with your attempts to lose weight. If you are used to eating two to three thousand calories a day before giving birth, you will need to eat much less during breastfeeding. In addition, the lack of sleep will reinforce your hunger. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you may be tempted to snack on healthy foods at the first sign of hunger.
Protects against colds and infections
During illness, breastfeeding is a safe bet to prevent your baby from contracting the same infection or bug you do. In fact, it is recommended that mothers breastfeed during illness to reduce the chance of the baby contracting the same bug. Furthermore, breast milk provides a daily dose of protective antibodies to the child. Thus, breastfeeding protects against colds and infections, and may even reduce the chance of developing colds and flu.
Reduces bleeding
Exclusive breastfeeding has many benefits for the infant and mother. It reduces the risk of hemorrhage and postpartum complications and can even lower maternal mortality. But is exclusive breastfeeding really necessary? Does exclusive breastfeeding lead to less blood volume? That question remains to be answered. This study explores the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and reduced blood volume. Read on to discover the benefits of breastfeeding, and how breastfeeding can help reduce bleeding.
Reduces postpartum depression
There are many reasons to breastfeed a newborn. In addition to the obvious health benefits, breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Research shows that the longer a mother breastfeeds, the lower her risk will be. It is estimated that between 11% and 20% of new mothers experience postpartum depression. That translates to over 800,000 women with postpartum depression every year. In addition to its health benefits, breastfeeding can also help reduce nipple pain.
Reduces risk of ovarian cancer
There are a number of risk factors for ovarian cancer that are modifiable and, in some cases, completely avoidable. These factors can include breastfeeding and multiple pregnancies, as well as certain types of oral contraceptives. If you’re considering breastfeeding and multiple pregnancies, you should read this article first before you decide to start a new breastfeeding program. This article will discuss various risk factors and explain which options can reduce your chances of developing the disease.