If you are pregnant, you may be wondering about the benefits of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is better than bottled formula milk, if it is something you are able to do.

Babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently updated their guidelines to recommend breastfeeding to the age of two, or beyond, if a mom can. Breastfeeding your baby can be really fruitful – here are the benefits.

1) Builds Strong Immunity For Your Baby

Breast milk can build a strong shield of immunity for your baby. Breastfeeding can help your baby to fight diarrhea, ear infections, asthma, obesity, eczema, bowel diseases, type 2 diabetes, allergies, viruses, and more diseases. Even the risk of SIDS is reduced through breastfeeding.

2) Helps To Keep Your Baby Healthy

Breast milk is full of nutrients and antibodies. These nutrients help your baby to grow in a healthy way and contain things for your baby’s health that they can’t get from formula alone.

3) Reduces The Risk Of Certain Cancers For Moms

Moms who breastfeed are at a lower risk of developing some cancers, such as ovarian cancer.

4) Nursing may help moms regulate their weight

A mom who breastfeeds her child might not put on excessive weight. Breastfeeding burns calories. As a result, moms can shred their pregnancy weight through breastfeeding.

5) Mom and Baby Stay Emotionally Bonded

Breastfeeding brings mom and baby closer to each other. The practice of breastfeeding creates a strong emotional and physical bond, and releases oxytocin – a feel good hormone. It helps moms and babies to stay mentally happy.

6) Breast Milk Is Completely Natural

Breast milk has everything that your baby can digest. It's warm and it's natural. Breast milk is safe and nutritious for your baby.

7) Breast Milk Is Always Available

Breast milk is something that you will always have with you wherever you go.

Breastfeeding can soothe your baby naturally. Breast milk has vitamins and proper nutrients with antibodies. It's a naturally balanced diet that can make your baby healthy. Hence, you should continue to breastfeed your baby for as long as you decide is right for the two of you. Breast milk is an ideal food for your newborn.

Deciding whether or not you can or want to breastfeed can come with a lot of pressure. Talk to your midwife or OB-GYN about the benefits of breastfeeding if you are expecting. To schedule a prenatal checkup, contact us today.

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