Benefits of Breastfeeding: A Look at What the Experts Are Saying

As a birth doula, one of my responsibilities is to encourage my clients to make healthy decisions following the birth of their child. As there is overwhelming evidence of breastfeeding being advantageous over formula feeding, it is my responsibility to inform them of the benefits that follow the choice to breastfeed. Here is what a few of the experts on breastfeeding are saying:

"Breastfeeding is one of the best starts a mother can give her baby."¹
"The benefits to the mother of immediate breastfeeding are innumerable."²
"Even breastfeeding for a few days will give the added insurance for a healthy first year."³
"Breastfeeding after a cesarean can be a joyful way for mother and baby to learn about each other."⁴

Because the benefits of breastfeeding are truly innumerable for both mother and baby, I will only list a few of those benefits here. For the baby, his mother's milk is specifically tailored to meet his needs. So much so, that the ingredients in the milk can change between feedings in order to meet his needs. Breastfeeding is associated with drastically reduced rates of illnesses, resulting in fewer hospital stays and less medical costs from infancy through adulthood. Breastfeeding has also been found to increase the child's IQ level by an average of 11 points.⁵

For the mother, breastfeeding promotes faster recovery from birth, including a return to pre-pregnancy weight, burning an average of 500 calories a day. Breastfeeding also releases mothering hormones that give her increased calmness, self-esteem and confidence. Breastfeeding is also associated with a reduced risk of cancers of the reproductive organs and of osteoporosis in the mother.

Not only does the breastfeeding couple benefit physically and emotionally, but it also benefits their pocketbook. The American Academy of Pediatrics stated that in 1993, the cost of purchasing formula was $885 for the first year alone. Newer estimates average $1,200 for the first year.

Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life is the healthy option for all families. Even women who have serious illnesses and women who have had breast reductions and implants have been successful in breastfeeding their children.

If you do decide to breastfeed, congratulations on your choice! You will be grateful that you did. If you do not breastfeed, remember that the choice of feeding method (although important) is only one way to influence your child's life. There are many excellent articles available on how to start out right when formula feeding.

Make sure to ask your doctor or midwife for hand outs on positioning, starting a feeding, milk storage, working while breastfeeding, breast engorgement and sore nipple management. You may also wish to be referred to a lactation specialist in your area.

Sources:
1 - "10 Great Reasons to Breastfeed" Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1990
2 - "Touching" by Ashley Montague
3 - "Postpartum Healing Through Breastfeeding" by Katie Corcoran, LLLI consultant
4 - "Breastfeeding After a Cesarean Birth" La Leche League International, 2004
5 - National Institutes of Health, 2002