The benefits of breastfeeding over formula

There are a striking number of benefits for babies that breastfeed, and every expecting mother should strongly consider providing nutrition to their newborn in this way, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Currently, about 80 percent of American children receive some amount of breastfeeding as infants and less than one quarter are breastfed exclusively for at least six months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All of these metrics have been trending slowly upward since at least 2002 while the number of babies supplemented by formula before the age of six months has fallen.

Breastfeeding mothers should start from day one because the first few days are when she is producing colostrum rather than her regular milk. This thick, yellowy substance is densely packed with nutrients and also includes antibodies which will help protect the baby from infections during the early stages. Additionally, this special liquid helps jumpstart the digestive system of a newborn and prepares them for the mature milk that will come in during the first week.

Research has shown that a mother’s milk will adapt to the needs of a growing baby each day, but generally, it will help lower their risk of ailments like asthma, obesity, leukemia, eczema, respiratory infections, type 2 diabetes, and even sudden infant death syndrome. Babies also have a much easier time digesting their mother’s milk compared to formulas which can lead to excess gas, diarrhea, and even vomiting. Breastmilk is always the right temperature and can protect babies living in unsanitary conditions from a dirty water supply.

In addition to all of the benefits for babies, breastfeeding can also help mothers limit their risks for type 2 diabetes as well as some breast and ovarian cancers. Supporting a baby in this way can also help a mother get back to her pre-pregnancy weight more quickly and feel more naturally at ease thanks to the oxytocin released from skin-to-skin contact while feeding.