Why Breastfeeding is Important
Breastfeeding provides many health benefits for you and your baby. But it also can be difficult to manage breastfeeding in today's busy world. Learning all you can before you give birth can help. The decision to breastfeed is a personal one.
Breastmilk Provides the Perfect Nutrition for Our Babies!
- Breastmilk has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein, and minerals needed for a baby's growth and development. As your baby grows, your breastmilk changes to adapt to the baby's changing nutritional needs.
- Breastmilk protects against common baby infections.
- Children who are breastfed have a lower risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Can improve how children think, explore and figure things out.
Breastmilk is Environment-Friendly
Breastmilk is a naturally renewable resource that requires no packaging, shipping, or disposal.
Breastfeeding Provides Health Benefits for Mom's as Well
- Breastfeeding triggers the release of a hormone called oxytocin that causes the uterus to contract. This helps the uterus to return to its normal size more quickly and may decrease the amount of bleeding you have after giving birth.
- Breastfeeding burns as many as 500 extra calories each day, which may make it easier to lose the weight you gained during pregnancy.
- Women who breastfeed have lower rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
- Women who breastfeed longer have lower rates of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Breastfeeding Saves Money
Formula feeding can cost a family $1,500 or more for the baby's first year. Breastfed babies are less likely to need excessive medical attention as they grow resulting in less medical expenses.