Feeding
Send this article to a friendWhy Breast is Best
Breast milk is one of Mother Nature's most wonderful creations. It provides everything your baby needs, when your baby needs it, for healthy growth and development. As well as being a satisfying source of nourishment, the intimacy involved in breast feeding makes your baby feel safe and warm and gives you both precious time to bond. It also has some wonderful benefits for you too.Complete and natural goodness from day one
It is well known that breast milk plays an important role in supporting your baby's immunity. It contains a combination of protective factors including antibodies and prebiotics, helping to protect them from illnesses such as stomach upsets and ear infections. Breast milk may also help to protect a baby from developing asthma in childhood.
The prebiotics found naturally in breast milk are special nutrients that encourage the growth of friendly bacteria in the digestive system. A healthy level of these good bacteria helps to fight off potentially harmful ones, thereby supporting a baby's natural defences. They also contribute to healthy digestion, making your baby's stools softer and easier to pass.
Breast milk is also rich in LCPs. These omega fats are scientifically proven to help the development of the brain, eyes and nervous system.
While breast feeding, your body is perfectly in tune with your baby's needs. Your milk production adapts to your baby's hunger, and the complex composition of your milk is constantly changing over time to meet your baby's nutritional demands. Not only from month to month, but also with subtle differences occurring throughout the day, or even from the start to the end of a feed.
Click here to discover more about the beneficial content of breast milk.
Bonding with your baby
Breast feeding has a powerful role to play in the bonding process between you and your baby. The physical act of holding your baby while they're feeding from your breast is nature's way of encouraging plenty of skin to skin contact and interaction such as talking, eye contact and rocking. This closeness provides comfort and warmth while stimulating your baby's senses of touch, sight, smell, hearing and taste.
When your baby is first born, their eyes are only able to focus on objects around 20-37cm away. Breast feeding brings you and your baby close so that they can study your features and expressions, learning to recognise you as well as developing essential skills that will gradually improve their sight as well as their attentiveness and concentration.
Health benefits for you too
Breast feeding stimulates the release of a hormone called oxytocin. When your baby first begins suckling, this prompts your milk to start flowing at the same time as contracting your uterus. The contractions protect you against postpartum haemorrhage and help your uterus return to its normal size. Oxytocin also has a positive effect on your emotions. Known as the love hormone, it makes you feel relaxed and content while feeding your baby, making it a comforting experience for you both.
Another benefit of breast feeding is that it is a natural, healthy way to use up some of the fat stores you laid down during pregnancy. Gradual weight loss is always safest and research has shown that mothers who breast feed are more likely to return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner, and are more successful in keeping it off.
Recent studies have found that breast feeding also has a number of other long-term advantages for you. These include improved metabolism, reduced risks of osteoporosis and various cancers, and psychological benefits such as reduced stress levels.
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