According to the Cleveland Clinic [1], there are numerous benefits of breastfeeding your newborn for both mom and baby.
Among the top 5 are:
1. A healthier newborn
Studies have shown that babies who breastfeed are more capable of fighting off dangerous infections like Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating disease that affects mostly the intestine of premature infants.
2. A happier, healthier new mom
Breastfeeding is a proven way to shed those pregnancy pounds! Breastfeeding promotes faster weight loss after birth, burning about 500 extra calories a day to build and maintain a milk supply. Breastfeeding also stimulates the uterus to contract and return to normal size. Less postpartum bleeding from breastfeeding can reduce the chance of anemia.
Psychological research has also shown that instances of postpartum depression decrease with breastfeeding, and mom's who breastfeed generally have a more positive mood.
3. A healthier adult child
Breastfed babies are also less likely to develop allergies and asthma. Teens and young adults who were breastfed are less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and pre- and postmenopausal breast cancers in adulthood.
4. A healthier grand-mom
Studies have also shown that women who breastfeed their children receive health benefits throughout life. Older women who breastfed earlier in life have shown lower risk of breast cancer, lower risk of ovarian cancer, lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, less endometriosis, and less osteoporosis with age.
There seem to be heart health benefits to breastfeeding as well, since women who breastfeed are less likely to develop hypertension decreases blood pressure and experience fewer instances of cardiovascular disease.
So, breastfeed your newborn so, one day, you'll be the healthiest grand-mom on the block!
5. A better bond between mom and child
There's an important bond between mom and baby during breastfeeding, studies have found. Breastfeeding promotes more skin-to-skin contact, more holding and stroking. Many feel that affectionate bonding during the first years of life help reduce social and behavioral problems in both children and adults.
