It is a mother's personal choice to breastfeed her baby or not. When I had my first child, I knew I wanted to try breastfeeding. I had always heard that breast is best and wanted to give my child the best.
Unfortunately, my son would never latch properly, so I opted to pump with a Medela breast pump and supplement with formula. I figured some breast milk is better than none and breast milk is breast milk no matter the delivery device.
Here are several reasons why you should breastfeed if you can.
Breastfeeding isn't just healthy for the baby, but for the mom too. Here are 8 reasons to breastfeed your baby! Click To TweetDoctors Give It A Thumbs Up
BFing is doctor recommended. Most pediatricians will encourage you to try breastfeeding at the very least. Remember, the breast is best.
Boost Immunity
Breast milk protects against infections and certain conditions/diseases. This is because it contains antibodies, especially in colostrum.
Costs Nothing
Breastfeeding is FREE! Free is always good, especially when you consider that a baby can use nearly 3000 diapers a year. You might as well save somewhere.
You'll probably need to buy nipple creams and pads every once in a while but this cost is nothing when you compare it to formula.
“The whole human world is born from the womb of mothers, and if we can’t make the motherly act of breastfeeding free from stigma in such a world, then it’s an insult to our very existence as a species.”
-Abhijit Naskar
Super Convenient
Breastfeeding is very convenient…whip out a breast, and dinner is served! There's no having to find a bottle and scoop formula in the middle of the night when you are half asleep.
Perfect Temperature
Breast milk is always at the perfect temperature, so no need to waste electricity with a bottle warmer or extra mental power figuring out how it works when you are sleep deprived.
No Unnecessary Cleaning
When you breastfeed, you don't have to wash/sterilize bottles and nipples. With a baby, you are tired most of the time and cleaning is often one of the last things on your to-do list.
“Imagine that the world had created a new ‘dream product’ to feed and immunize everyone born on earth. Imagine also that it was available everywhere, required no storage or delivery, and helped mothers plan their families and reduce the risk of cancer. Then imagine that the world refused to use it.”
-Frank A. Oski
Bonding Time
Breastfeeding is great for bonding with your baby. There's nothing like skin-to-skin contact with a creature that grew inside of you for nine months!
Eco-Friendly
Breastfeeding has its own problems but one of them isn't accumulating trash (cans, scoops, lids, etc.). Helping the earth is always a plus!
“Nursing does not diminish the beauty of a woman’s breasts; it enhances their charm by making them look lived in and happy.”
-Robert A. Heinlein
Look, they do it all! But remember, ultimately, it is your choice, and if you choose not to breastfeed or pump, buying baby formula in bulk could save you money too. Or perhaps you could try couponing to save on formula.
I breastfed my daughter for two and half years. Formula never touched her lips. All you say is true in my case in your article about the benefits of breastfeeding,……except the bonding. She only loved her father, not me. Jill is 41 now, and has 4 kids of her own – and I haven’t seen her since 1999. My only child, my 4 grandchildren (ages 15-3) – all lost to me.
That’s great you breastfed your daughter but i”m sorry you guys have lost touch. Have you tried reaching out to her?