The Benefits of Breastfeeding: Everything You Need to Know

Should we breastfeed at all costs? The answer is undoubtedly no! The decision to breastfeed is a personal practice that is the responsibility of each woman. Given the health benefits for both the breastfed child and the mother, breastfeeding has since been considered a public health issue by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, to respect each woman’s beliefs, healthcare professionals must provide clear and objective information on breastfeeding. Here’s a closer look.

Breast milk is the ideal food for infants, according to the WHO. It is one of the most effective ways to maintain health and ensure the survival of the child. Breastfeeding a child means:

Ensure perfect nutrition

Breast milk is the best food for a baby’s growth and development. It provides a sufficient amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals that the infant needs. In addition, it is easy to digest.

Protect it from diseases

Breastfeeding helps babies fight off illnesses and various infections. Colostrum, for example, the first milk a mother produces after birth, plays an important role in developing the digestive system. Breastfed babies are also less likely to suffer from obesity, colds, flu, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, respiratory infections, ear infections, diabetes, malocclusion, and other conditions.

Promote cognitive development

According to a study by Inserm, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, breastfed children say more words at age two than those who were not. In addition, they appear to have better overall cognitive development at age three. Breastfed babies have higher intelligence scores and may be less likely to develop behavioral and learning disorders.

Offer him ready-to-eat meals

Mother’s milk is always fresh and at the right temperature. It requires no additional handling. This means the baby can eat whenever they want. This makes feedings easier and more accessible.

Offer him many other advantages

Breastfeeding women save money that can be used to cover other baby needs. Breast milk is environmentally friendly because it does not generate any waste or pollutants. Producing breast milk allows babies to get used to different flavors, as the taste of milk changes depending on the mother’s diet. This will make it easier for them to accept diversification from the age of six months.

Breastfeeding has advantages for mom, too:

Strengthening the emotional bond

Breastfeeding promotes the release of oxytocin, the maternal bonding hormone. This helps the mother strengthen the emotional bond that already exists between her and her baby.

Protection against certain diseases

According to some studies, breastfeeding can protect mothers from diseases such as breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Postpartum weight loss

Since a mother’s body uses energy to produce milk, breastfeeding can help her lose the weight gained throughout pregnancy.

Delayed menstruation

Exclusively breastfeeding a baby until six months of age can delay the return of a mother’s period, at least for a while. However, it is important to note that a woman can still get pregnant even if her period has not yet returned.

Less risk of postpartum hemorrhage

Again, oxytocin plays an important role in breastfeeding women. It allows the uterus to contract more effectively after delivery, thus reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

Moreover, when all goes well, breastfeeding would protect the mother against mental disorders and the potential occurrence of postpartum depression.

So, you’ve decided to breastfeed? Here are the top 7 tips that will make it easier from the start:

• Find a quiet place and find the right position for you and your baby.
• Hold your baby against you and firmly support his neck;
• Carry your baby to your breast and not your breast to your baby;
• Offer both breasts to your baby. It’s okay if he takes very little or none at all from the second breast. You’ll start by offering that one at the next feeding.
• Don’t schedule feedings based on the clock, but watch for your baby’s hunger signs ;
• Take care of yourself by getting as much rest as possible. Eat healthy foods and drink as much as you want. Don’t hesitate to talk to others and ask for support and help.
• Enjoy your baby through the unique bond that is created when you hold him in your arms while breastfeeding.

Did you know ? You can donate your milk to help hospitalized newborns who need it. Every drop of milk counts. Yours can save lives.

Were you unable or unwilling to breastfeed your child? Don’t feel guilty because, although breastfeeding is highly recommended, it isn’t possible for everyone. You also have the right not to want to breastfeed, especially since breastfeeding is far from without consequences.

The consequences of breastfeeding

Although breastfeeding is generally beneficial for most women and their babies, it is not without risks and complications:

• Breast pain: Some women experience engorgement that causes severe pain or cracks in the nipples, making the experience very uncomfortable.
• Breast infections: When the milk ducts are blocked, this can cause mastitis in the mother, who will be forced to follow medical treatment.
• Feeding difficulties: Your baby may have difficulty breastfeeding effectively, which can lead to feeding problems and slowed weight gain.
• Fatigue and stress: Breastfeeding can also be a source of stress for you, because the baby is constantly demanding of you, which leaves you exhausted daily.

Breastfeeding Challenges

Breastfeeding is a mother’s choice for herself and her baby. There are situations where the mother cannot breastfeed:

• If she consumes alcohol and tobacco, or medications with contraindications, because these substances pass into breast milk.
• If her health does not allow it, in particular if she is HIV positive or if she suffers from galactosemia.
• If she just doesn’t want to.

Good to know : There are no legal provisions in France governing breastfeeding in public places. You are therefore free to feed your child wherever you wish.

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding: the choice is yours

When it comes to breastfeeding, everyone has their own opinion: the midwife, the neighbor, the friend, the pharmacist, the family. But know this: the choice is yours and only yours. You are free to feed your baby in the way that suits you best.

Breastfeeding is not a choice to be taken lightly, given the notorious consequences, so you must be at peace with yourself before committing. Forced breastfeeding can cause baby blues or even postpartum depression.

Breastfeed your baby, yes, but for the right reasons

Some women feel societal pressure to choose not to breastfeed. They are then labeled “bad mothers,” which is completely false! It’s important not to put pressure on yourself and to make an informed decision. Breastfeed only if:

• You want it.
• Breastfeeding is a precious moment for you.
• You have no medical contraindications.
• You have informed yourself about the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding.
• No one influences your choice.

Breastfeeding can sometimes be necessary, even essential. This is the case for premature babies who need breast milk to prevent certain very serious infections.

In case the mother cannot breastfeed for various reasons, breast milk collected from donor mothers in a milk bank is used to feed the baby.

Don’t want to breastfeed?

Don’t want to breastfeed and prefer to bottle-feed? No problem! Infant formulas are perfectly suited to the nutritional needs of babies, depending on their age. Not breastfeeding your child won’t make you a bad mother. Your child will be nourished, loved, and pampered—that’s all that matters.

If you have any doubts about which option to choose, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional or lactation consultant for more informed advice.

Exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Several studies have shown that breast milk has undeniable benefits for babies and even for their mothers. This includes strengthening the baby’s immune system and promoting cognitive development.

However, it is important for mothers and mothers-to-be to be informed about these benefits, as well as the potential risks involved in breastfeeding. The most important thing for any woman is to make an informed choice between bottle feeding and breastfeeding, knowing all the information related to this subject.