NUTRITION
There are many benefits to breastfeeding. Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein needed for baby to grow and the right amount of other nutrients for baby to develop.
DIGESTION
Babies digest breast milk better than they digest formula so breastfed babies grow exactly the way they should.
LONG-TERM BENEFITS
Even though breastfed babies look chubby, they tend to gain less fat and have more lean muscle mass, which may result in reduced risk of becoming overweight later in life.
PREMATURITY
Even premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature babies who are fed formula. And all breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests, especially babies who were born pre-maturely.
BENEFITS TO MUM
For mothers, breastfeeding uses up extra calories and makes it easier for you to return to pre-pregnancy weight. Some studies suggest that breastfeeding can lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.
BONDING
Breastfeeding requires moms to take some quiet relaxed time for themselves and their babies. Breastfeeding can help mum bond with their baby. After all, physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted. In addition, breastfeeding mothers may experience increased self-confidence and feelings of closeness and bonding with their infants.
Even if mums are only able to breast feed for a short time, both mum and baby will benefit emotionally and physically.