Breastfeeding benefits

Anyone who has breastfed their baby will be able to talk for hours about the many benefits it brings  - to their baby, to them and to family life. And I think this is the most important benefit - it’s personal. It is a unique experience with each baby you breastfeed, their little personalities peeking through and making precious, wonderful, hilarious and vivid memories you will always have, however long you breastfeed for.  

• Bonding

Not only is breastfeeding personal, it is hugely bonding, it helps a baby to feel loved, secure, it builds trust, it comforts and it nurtures. Breastfeeding is renowned for the bonds it forms between mother and baby. Babies actually cannot tell the difference between themselves and their mothers until around 6-7 months of age; neurologically to them, you and one and the same person - very sweet! The presence of oxytocin and prolactin in breastmilk promotes both cognitive and emotional maturity, self confidence and attachment, with robust immunity as a bonus. The combination of these ingredients for mother and baby can help to underpin healthy family dynamics for years to come. 

• Perfect nutrition

Breastmilk is the original superfood. It is the only substance that provides absolutely everything a baby needs for the first 6 months of their life. This should not surprise any of us. We are mammals. Every mammal’s milk is perfectly adapted to their young’s specific needs. Let me give you some examples. Cow’s milk is rich in protein to give a calf the energy to stand up and totter about immediately after birth. 

• Brain food

Human milk is rich in lactose, which is crucial for neurological development, literally making baby brains grow. Baby brains triple in weight in the first two years of life! Breastfeeding improves cognitive development and intelligence. 

• Body building

There is also cholesterol in breastmilk which is necessary for building stable cell membrane structures - pretty important! This cholesterol is absent from artificial formula and research has shown that as adults, breastfed babies have lower cholesterol than formula fed babies. Even vitamins play a role immediately from birth. Breast milk dilutes in hot weather and becomes fattier in cold weather. Breastmilk is responsive, a two way communication designed to keep your baby alive and well.  

• Anti stress

Colostrum is very high in Vitamin E which provides instant antioxidative protection should the baby have experienced any stress during labour and birth. 

• Immune protection

Quite literally in fact - breast milk is protective. A baby’s saliva mixes with breastmilk enabling the detection of pathogens and boosting the immune functions within breastmilk, limiting the damage that germs can do. From the first hour of life, colostrum helps to mature the gut, building a healthy  microbiome and protecting it from infectious diseases. There is a long list of the defences breastmilk affords a baby including: immunoglobulins, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, attacks e coli, prevents diarrhoea, defends against ear, urine and respiratory infections, decreases the risk of sepsis, allergies and reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome by half. It provides appetite regulation, reducing the risk of obesity. 

• Long term health benefits

Breastmilk also has an impact on other chronic diseases: type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease,  inflammatory bowel disease, asthma  and childhood cancers are all lower in breastfed babies. In fact, one component of breastmilk (a-lactalbumin) has been shown to induce cell death in all malignant cells it has been tested against. Powerful stuff. 

• Good for mothers

Breastfeeding is not just good for babies, it’s good for mothers too, Breastfeeding helps to recover from childbirth, boosts your mood, helps you to bond to your baby, reduces anaemia, aids contraception, helps weight control, prevents osteoporosis, reduces the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, diabetes, breast cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. It also floods you with feel good hormones, reducing your risk of postnatal depression.

• Practical advantages

There are also equally significant practical benefits that most busy mums can relate to, such as its ready availability and portability (formula feeding will set you back around £700 in the first year, plus equipment). Breastfeeding not only is absolutely free, it’s also better for the planet.