It’s time for another post from our friends at Bella Bambino Care! This one is for all of those mothers, and soon-to-be mothers, who are curious about breastfeeding. This post is diving into the details on how breastfeeding is beneficial to you, the mother! It can’t be all about the kids, right?
It’s been researched, debated and talked about A LOT. We all know there are many benefits to breastfeeding for your baby. Wanting to be a good mother and doing the best for your children is very instinctual. However, in addition to the many benefits for baby, breastfeeding offers mothers mental, physical and emotional health benefits, as well. So, if breastfeeding works for you and your baby, you have yourself a win-win!
Many mothers have feelings of fulfillment and joy after feeding. These feelings are because of the release of feel-good hormones while breastfeeding. These hormones are prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin produces a peaceful and nurturing sensation that allows you to relax and focus on your baby. While oxytocin promotes a strong sense of love and connection between mother and baby. The release of these hormones give the mother pleasant feelings and is most likely the reason that if a mother breastfeeds her first child, she’s more likely to choose to breastfeed the children that follow.
Mental health aside, there are many physical benefits for mothers who breastfeed. Nursing mothers recover from childbirth more easily and quickly. That same feel-good hormone, oxytocin, not only helps with feelings of connection and love, it also acts to return the uterus to its regular size more quickly. And it can also reduce postpartum bleeding.
Some studies show that the rates of breast and ovarian cancers are reduced in women who breastfed earlier in life. Breastfeeding has also been connected to reduced rates in developing type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
There are also quite a few practical bonuses that breastfeeding has, as well. Breastmilk is much less expensive than formula. Nursing mothers are encouraged to consume 400 – 500 additional calories to support their bodies as they produce milk, while formula can cost up to $10 a day, depending on the brand and how much baby is consuming. There’s also the convenience factor of nursing. For middle of the night feedings, nursing is immediate and easy. There’s no prepping bottles or warming formula. Also, for going out and about with baby, you don’t need to pack additional equipment such as bottles, bottle wipes and formula. You have your baby’s milk ready to go whenever they are hungry. This convenience relieves stressors for the mother.
In a sustainable sense, breastfeeding is also good for the environment. There’s no waste from formula containers and no washing bottles.
Most mothers, with all the benefits breastfeeding has, gravitate towards breastfeeding because of the feeling of maternal fulfillment, with everything else being an added bonus. Breastfeeding is something that only the mother can do and it creates such a powerful and emotional connection between mother and baby.
All of this being said, at Bella Bambino, we support, encourage and want to assist all mothers in their journey. If breastfeeding is something that is not working for you or for your baby, it’s not something that you need to force. This post is meant to bring information to those who want desire to breastfeed. A fed, content, happy baby is always best! And by the way, for all the mothers reading this, you’re doing a great job!
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