Pros and Cons of Breastfeeding

If you're getting ready to have a baby, one of the things you may be concerned about is whether or not to breast feed. There are several reasons why breast feeding may be the best option for your and your baby, but there are some factors you'll want to take into consideration before you make your final choice. Here are some of the pros and cons of breastfeeding.

Breast milk has all the nutrients that your baby needs in order to grow and develop at a normal rate. The servings of water, protein, sugar and wanter in breast milk are just the right amount for a growing infant, and your baby can digest breast milk better than formula in most cases. Babies who are breast fed are also more likely to have a stronger immune system, which means they will be protected from respiratory illnesses, ear infections, colds, and even diarrhea.

As your baby grows, the benefits of breast feeding continue. When your child is older, he or she is more likely to score high on an IQ test due to being breastfed, and this is especially true for babies who were born prematurely. In addition, you may develop and closer bond and healthier relationship with your baby as a result of breast feeding. During the breast feeding process, oxytocin is released, a hormone that promotes closeness an bonding, and the physical contact will make your newborn feel more protected and secure.

Breast feeding also helps you as a mother. In most cases, it is easier for you to lose weight after delivering your baby if you are breastfeeding, and breast feeding your baby may also help the uterus to return to its original size after giving birth. As you get older, you may also find that breast feeding will significantly reduce your risk of developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer, and your bones will be strengthened, which means you may not have to experience conditions like hip fractures or osteoporosis after menopause.

There are some cases in which you shouldn't breast feed your baby, however, and you'll need to talk to your doctor about ways that you can make sure your baby is still getting the necessary nutrition for proper growth. If you are taking prescription medications, they may not be good for your baby's health, so be sure to read the labels before giving your baby breast milk. If you have respiratory conditions such as tuberculosis, it is not a good idea to breast feed, whether or not you are being treated. There are also certain viruses that can pass through the breast milk, so you may want to talk to your doctor about going to milk bank to get breast milk for your baby. Your infant may also have a condition called galactosemia, which means they are unable to tolerate breast milk, so if you find that your baby is not latching on or getting the amount of milk needed to be full, talk to your doctor about breast milk alternatives.

Breast feeding should be a time of bonding between you and your baby, but if you aren't able to breast feed or choose other options, making sure that your baby's heath is taken care of is most important, and with the help of your doctor, you can achieve your baby's health goals.