Why Breastmilk is Best for Babies

Apparently British mums are least likely to breastfeed their babies than anywhere else in the world!  My daughter breastfeeds her son but most of her friends say they wouldn't want to breastfeed (although she's helping to change their minds).  They cited pain and saggy boobs mostly but I think a lack of awareness, encouragement and  acceptance are also to blame.  Breastfeeding has been relegated over the years but here are some excellent reasons for at least trying to breastfeed your baby and you can't argue with any of them!

- Breastfeed babies are healthier, have fewer colds, viruses and gastrointestinal infections.
- It's free and breastmilk contains everything a baby needs, especially the first milk at birth, colostrum, which is vital for the baby's health and full of antibodies unavailable anywhere else but in breastmilk.
- It's easy, especially at night, no getting up in the night to prepare bottles..
- Breastfed babies are naturally happier and more easy to soothe.
- They have longer-term protection from illness and a lower risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes and colonic diseases.
- Breastfed babies have higher IQs than bottle fed babes.
- Their risk of SIDS is lower.
- Breastfed babies don't really get colic and have far less wind than bottlefed babes.
- They have stronger bones, so important in life.
- Breastfed babies have fewer weight problems later in life.
- Mums lose baby weight much quicker when they breastfeed because it burns energy and calories.
- Breastfed babies don't suffer from cows milk intolerance and associated eczema and skin problems.
- Mums recover and heal much quicker after the birth due to the release of the hormone Oxytocin.
- Breastfed babies have less risk of some childhood cancers and mums have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer later in life.
- Mums and babies develop an understanding between them long before spoken communication takes over.
- Breastfed babies have a better antibody response to vaccines.
- Menstruation and ovulation may be delayed if mums breastfeed baby totally (but don't count on that!).

The body is a magnificient machine and we've lost sight of that in our fast paced modern world.  'Breast is best' is a well known term and after reading this post, perhaps you will think there's more to breastfeeding than you may have thought.   Please share this with anyone you know is pregnant or hoping to have a baby and check out websites such as www.laleche.org and www.breastfeedingnetwork.org and of course Mumsnet is always a useful place to network.  

Love and Light, Susan