Breastfeeding is one of the most important things that you can do for your baby, and it can also be one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding, processes that you will ever go through. There are many benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby.
Benefits for your baby include:
- Increased bonding time between mom and baby
- The appropriate amount of nutrients and the addition of antibodies.
- This helps aid in digestion and the antibodies help fight infection
- Breast-fed babies have decreased rates of ear infections and diarrhea.
- Breastfeeding decreases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in preterm infants), lower respiratory infections, asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Benefits for mom include:
- Increased bonding time between mom and baby
- Weight loss
- A decrease risk of type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression.
- Breastfeeding can also save time (there are less bottles to sterilize and get ready) and money (formula and feeding supplies can cost well over $1,500 each year).
Did you know?
The Affordable Care Act requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of a breast pump as part of women’s preventive health services. You can talk to your insurance company about its coverage. If you are covered, let your doctor know so we can provide a prescription for you.
Read more at:
Why breastfeeding is important?
Woman’s Hospital Breastfeeding information
Tips for breastfeeding moms
Breastfeeding it’s only natural
Breastfeeding-Healthy Children