Many women choose to breastfeed their babies for a variety of reasons and many individuals are realizing the benefits of it. Even legislators and people in power are realizing how important it is for women to breastfeed and they in turn have been making and upholding laws to ensure that a woman can breastfeed her child in public without having to face legal action. Now, more than ever, there are many reasons why it is important for a mother to breastfeed her child.
Good for the Infant’s Health
Breastfeeding helps fight off many illnesses. Unfortunately, vaccinations and medications that were thought to ward off certain diseases or illnesses have been found to simply not prevent them. The only way to keep illness at bay is through a strong immune system. Breastfeeding will give the infant the immune system that he or she needs that will keep them healthy and thriving.
Promotes Bonding with Mother and Child
With many mothers working in today’s society, breastfeeding will allow them to bond with their babies. It isn’t the amount of time that is spent with a child that’s important, it’s how that time is spent. Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to spend time with a baby. Not only is the mother giving her child a healthy source of nutrition, but she is creating an intimate moment that mother and baby both desperately crave. This time together will allow both mother and child to get to know one another and just enjoy being in each other’s presence.
It’s a Cost Effective Form of Feeding
Breastfeeding is cost effective. Since it’s free for a mother to breastfeed her baby, many women who have tight budgets are choosing this form of nutrition as their child’s main source of food. Many mothers breastfeed well beyond their baby’s first year of life. This can save a family quite a bit of money in feeding costs.
Breastfeeding Is a Pure and Natural Source of Nutrition
Baby formulas are made of ingredients that may not be pure or lack certain ingredients that breast milk can provide. For instance, manufacturers of some baby formulas are now adding DHA and ARA into their formulas because they are naturally occurring substances, found in breast milk, that are beneficial to an infant’s development. However, their nutritional benefits are not as good as they are when found in breast milk. In addition, since formula is a manufactured product there is always the risk of harmful things accidentally being placed in the formula. As good as some baby formulas are, they just don’t compare to breast milk overall.
In conclusion, breastfeeding has always been important. However, many individuals are just now realizing all the benefits that come with breastfeeding. Choosing to breastfeed your baby can have a great impact on your child’s health, create bonding and save you money. Just remember that breastfeeding may not be easy in the beginning. However, with the proper education and guidance, you should be able to breastfeed your baby and it will be beneficial to both you and your infant.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/InfantFormula/ConsumerInformationAboutInfantFormula/ucm108079.htm
Susan Lee has been a writer on subjects ranging from child health to higher education for over 10 years. A frequent contributor to college review site, DegreeJungle.com, Susan most enjoys writing about issues that affect women and children all around the world.
