10 Reasons to Breastfeed your Baby

Disclaimer: I am not trying to offend anyone who decided to formula feed either because that's what they wanted or because they were unable to breastfeed. This is my journey and these are my reasons.

I was terrified at the thought of breastfeeding because I thought it was going to hurt / feel weird and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it. I was almost as afraid of breastfeeding as I was the pain of labor and delivery.

I want to tell you my reasons for doing it and in another Hub, How I was able to Stick with Breastfeeding.

[The first 5 Reasons are Benefits for Baby, and Reasons 6-10 are Benefits for Mommy / Family]

1.) Breast is Best - your body is amazing. It produces the most perfect food designed specifically for your unique child. This is a fascinating subject and I would encourage you to read up on the miracle that is breast milk.

2.) So Many Health Benefits for Baby - Mommy's Milk comes out in stages, providing thirst-quenching milk at the beginning and then the fatty, protein-filled milk to help baby grow and develop. It builds up the baby's immune system, which causes him or her to get sick fewer times than a formula-fed baby would.

3.) It's Doctor Recommended.

4.) It Creates the Most Incredible Bond between Baby and Mommy. I love feeding my baby and having that time all to ourselves for snuggling. She absolutely loves to breastfeed and that makes me so happy.

5.) Comfort - Breastfeeding was my 'Go to Solution' whenever I wouldn't figure out what was wrong or if I knew my daughter just needed to be comforted. It almost always made her feel so much better.

6.) Lose the Baby Weight - This is so true! Breastfeeding takes a lot of calories. In fact, they say that you need to consume over 500-800 more calories a day to keep up. On top of this, my baby wouldn't let me put her down long enough to get any real meals in me. Read my Hub about Stocking my Breastfeeding Spot with food and such.

7.) Healing Mommy More Quickly - During those first few feedings after birth, breastfeeding sends the signal to your body that the baby is out and pregnancy is over. This causes your body to pull the uterus back in (so to speak) and heal faster. It is the natural completion of pregnancy.

8.) Breast Cancer Prevention - Since all throughout pregnancy, your breasts are preparing for breastfeeding, as it is the natural end to pregnancy as stated above, if you don't breastfeed, it puts an unnatural stop to all of those changes. I know there are some medicines that doctors give to people who have to / would rather formula feed, but still, breastfeeding does lower your chances of getting breast cancer.

9.) Being Needed - Breastfeeding gives me this amazing feeling of being needed. No one else is able to provide for my baby in this way, and that makes me feel so proud.

10.) Save a Butt-Load of Money - Formula-Feeding is quite expensive (Formula, bottles, other accessories, etc) and breastfeeding is completely free (unless you have to get a breast pump)! This was a big reason for our family to try to make this work.

See this Post on my Blog: Top 5 Places to Breastfeed in Public
Look out for my next Hub: Steps to be Successful with Breastfeeding