Breastfeeding - Advantages and Disadvantages


Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things a mother can do, however mothers will differ in their approach, duration, and feelings about breastfeeding.  Breast milk is quite extraordinary; providing the new baby with all the essential nutrients in an easily digested form, also with antibodies protecting the new baby from infection.

Not only does breastfeeding benefit the baby in ways that a formula can’t, but breastfeeding also benefits the new mother in unique ways.  Consider the fact that breast milk is biologically formulated specifically for your child.  This means that breastfed babies are far less likely to get an infection, and also less likely to be admitted into a hospital.  The infant problems with diarrhea and constipation are much less likely to be issues.

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Studies have also shown that breastfeeding can reduce your child’s chances of forming allergies that may otherwise result in eczema and asthma.  There are also growth-inducing hormones in mother’s milk that help a baby to grow at the right pace.  It’s even been said that if you breastfeed your baby for at least 8 months, there will be a correlation in their academic success.  Hearsay?  Who can say?

As mentioned before, breastfeeding not only benefits the baby, but it benefits mom as well.  A new mother will burn up to 500 calories a day while breastfeeding.  It’s nature’s answer to extra “pregnancy weight”.   Another thing to consider is that, hey, breast milk is free!   Why spend money on formula when you have the most natural and absolutely free substance in unlimited quantities?  You do the math.

There is a certain bond created between mother and child during breastfeeding.  It’s been said that mothers have a less likely chance of developing post natal depression when they spend quality time breastfeeding their new arrival.  There’s also some evidence that breastfeeding mothers have less of a chance of contracting ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and even hip fracture.

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Ok, that’s a lot of positive.  But there are some negatives to breastfeeding that must also be taken into consideration.  For instance, you can pass viruses like hepatitis B or HIV to your child through breast milk, as well as some medications.  Some women find the act of breastfeeding to be stressful, painful, and even tiring. 
If your child is having trouble putting on weight, there’s no way to gauge how much milk your child is consuming, because there’s no ability to measure. It’s also tremendously demanding for a mother to breastfeed, because there’s a definite schedule that you’re needed, day-in and day-out. 

Sometimes it’s hard to get the breastfeeding going.  The child is not taking the milk, and there’s a lot of discomfort involved for both mother and child, but once things get established they tend to run smoothly.

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