Engorged Breasts Introduction

A few months ago you found out that in a short while you will be bringing new life into this world. You want to do everything right to make sure that your little one will be happy and healthy, you go through a range of feelings and emotions from being excited to being scared to being anxious. You've asked yourself so many questions one of which is the question that many mothers/mothers to be will ask themselves several times before giving birth..."Should I breastfeed or formula feed my baby?" All things considering,this is a question that can only be answered by you.

Benefits of Breastfeeding/Breast Milk for Baby

Before you decide which is best here are a few facts about breastfeeding.

1. Breast milk contains all the vitamins and nutrients that baby needs especially in the first six months of life. It is recommended that breast feeding continue for at lest 12 months or more.

2.Breast milk is loaded with disease-fighting substances that protect baby from certain illnesses. In fact there have been several studies conducted around the world which suggest that breastfed babies are less likely than formula fed babies to contract certain illnesses such as stomach viruses and ear infections.

3.Breast milk is always readily available and therefore proves to be less expensive and more convenient than formula.

4.Breastfeeding facilitates bonding between mother and baby on so many different levels.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom

1. Research suggests that breastfeeding may provide some amount of protection against breast and ovarian cancer later in life.

2.Breastfeeding helps mom to lose weight that was gained during pregnancy.Research shows that women who breastfeed on a consistent basis tend to lose weight more quickly and steadily than women who don't breastfeed. This is so as the body uses energy and therefore burns calories during the production of breast milk. In addition to this, research also shows that breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract faster therefore helping mom to lose the baby bump postpartum. Oxytocin is released while a woman breastfeeds. Oxytocin helps to contract the uterus which results in less postpartum bleeding.

3.Breastfeeding also provides mom with the opportunity to bond with baby.Breastfeeding offers closeness and comfort which strengthens the bond that mom has with baby.

There are many critics who maintain that breastfeeding is too exclusive as siblings and or partners will not be able to participate in the feeding of the little one. This notion not entirely true. If other family members are interested in feeding baby and if mom is comfortable with allowing it then there is the option of expressing milk into a bottle and allowing other family members to feed baby. Also if mom has to go back to work shortly after giving birth,baby can still be exclusively fed with breast milk as mom can express milk and store in freezer or fridge for baby.

Breast is Best' That is a saying that can never be a cliche