Some of the best reasons to breastfeed are the most obvious. Breast milk is free, contains the right nutrients for your baby, is already at the perfect temperature, and boosts your baby’s immune system. But there are several additional benefits of breastfeeding that are often overlooked when deciding whether to breastfeed or use formula.
- Your body burns calories making milk and it can help you lose some of the baby weight. Burn an additional 200 to 500 calories per day, which is equivalent to about 30 minutes of high-intensity aerobics or an hour of walking.
- Feeding is so much easier on the go. You don’t have to pack up formula and bottles before you leave the house and then find a place to warm the bottles when your baby gets hungry. Plus, all those baby bottles can get bulky in your diaper bag.
- You will save money beyond the cost of the formula. Bottles, nipples, drying racks, sterilizers, and other feeding accessories can add up to a lot. And the more convenient the option, the higher the expense. For example, disposable bags make bottle feeding even easier, but the cost is considerably more than simply washing plastic bottles.
- Breastfeeding can help with your emotional state. Prolactin, the hormone responsible for producing milk, is believed to have a general calming effect on lactating mothers.
- Breastfeeding ensures that you will have frequent rest periods throughout the day, which can really help you recharge. Also, you can use this time to read a book or magazine or do another relaxing activity that might not otherwise take time out of your busy day. In fact, I began to look forward to nursing sessions so that I could go back to whatever book I was reading without feeling guilty that chores weren’t done.
Breastfeeding can be challenging at first, and on some days it can be frustrating to be constantly on call. However, the benefits to both mother and baby make it a worthwhile option and I encourage you to at least give breastfeeding a try before considering formula.
