So why breastfeed? What are the benefits of breastfeeding? Here is a list I have comprised. As you know, research is always being done and scientists constantly change their minds about studies they have done. However, this list includes benefits that have been discussed for years. I did not include great detail about why these benefits are believed to be true. If you want to learn more about the studies, please visit the link at the bottom of this list. Thank you.
Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of SIDS Studies show that breasted babies have less of a chance of dying from sids then formula fed babies. What better benefit of breastfeeding do you need?
Breastfeeding can result in smarter kids Want to boost your child’s IQ? Kids who were breastfed have shown to have higher IQs later in life.
Breastfeeding lowers the risk of obesity It has been shown by multiple studies that people who were breastfed are less likely to be obese later in life.
Breastfeeding can protect againest Diabetes and Lukemia Research shows that breastfeeding greatly reduces the risk of babies developing type 1 diabetes and lukemia.
Breastfeeding can reduce allergies Babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop common allergies.
Breastfeeding boosts baby’s immune system and reduces ear infections, stomach problems, etc Breastfeeding often helps prevent babies from having ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory problems and common colds. When breastfed babies do get any of the above, they are often less severe. My own girls are now almost 7 and 4 and a half. To date, neither one of them has had an ear infection and they both hardly ever get sick. I know lots of kids who had tubes in their ears as babies do to too many ear infections. All of these babies were formula fed. Imagining my child being put to sleep so tubes could be put into their ears has always scarred me.
Babies bond and are comforted more One of the benefits of breastfeeding for both moms and babies is the bond. Babies do better with skin to skin contact and breastfeeding supplies that. Also, babies know their moms smell and heart beat and feel safer being close to their moms.