Kath + Belle | 4 Benefits of Breastfeeding You Should Know

The Power of Breastfeeding

One of the best decisions you can make as a parent is to have your precious little one to have breast milk. Understanding the benefits of breastfeeding can be key in helping you to make this decision. It’s often said that breast milk is nature’s perfect food for babies, and at Kath + Belle, we do agree with this statement. Not only does it greatly benefit the newborn, but the act of breastfeeding has greater health and emotional benefits for nursing moms too.

Breastfeeding can be done longer. This is why both American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend breastfeeding for the first 6 months and then continuing to breastfeed for one year or longer. Whether it is just 6 months or more than a year; giving breast milk to your baby is a powerful gift with effects that carry over into the years to come. 

Colostrum in Breast Milk

Your baby will only need breast milk for the first 6 months, it’s their only form of food and drink. After the first couple of days of giving birth, your breast will produce colostrum. It is a substance that is incredibly essential for the newborn. When you breastfeed, you are not only providing essential nutrients to your little ones but also the antibodies from your body.

The act of breastfeeding helps postpartum recovery by contracting the uterus back to its normal size.  The easily digested breast milk will make your baby have a stronger immune system. The colostrum helps to balance the baby’s blood sugars, kick-starts the digestive system and supports their mental growth. 

4 Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the best start you can give your little precious. It is good for both you and your baby. Let’s find out its top 4 benefits here:

1. Reduce Baby’s Risk of SIDS
   Babies breastfed until 2 months of age and older had a 62 percent lower risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Within this period, your baby may also have a reduced risk for food allergies.
2. Reduce Risks of Breast Cancer
   Research has shown that women who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It also helps your body absorb calcium more efficiently, meaning less chance of osteoporosis. 
3. Helps to Lose Pregnancy Weight
   Yes, it helps you to lose weight! Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day. That’s about as many calories as you’d burn on a 45 minutes run. If you think this isn’t much, consider running for 45 minutes every day!
4. Mom and Baby Bonding
   The skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby creates a perfect environment for quality bonding. Oxytocin, the feel good and loving hormone, is released during breastfeeding.