Why breast is best…
Here are 10 reasons why the Supernanny team reckons breastfeeding is definitely bestfeeding, for you and your baby!
What’s in it for your baby?
1 Lower diabetes risk The rates of juvenile diabetes have been rising but research shows that if you feed your baby exclusively on breast milk in her first four months her diabetes risk falls.
2 Better blood pressure Studies have suggested that breastfed babies have lower blood pressure in adulthood than babies fed with formula, thereby reducing their risk of heart attack and stroke later on in life.
3 It may make her smarter The longer you breastfeed your baby for, the higher her IQ is – giving her a handy advantage when it comes to schoolwork. And just think how those smarts could translate into a successful career and higher income!
4 It comes with infection protection Breast milk passes on vital antibodies you’ve spent years acquiring and these can help protect your baby from bronchitis, ear infections, diarrhea and urinary tract infections. FDA research suggests that babies who are solely formula-fed have 80% more risk of diarrhea and 70% more risk of developing ear infections.
5 It safeguards against obesity Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from obesity in childhood and when they grow up.
Convinced nursing will make your breasts sag? Don’t be – researchers from the University of Kentucky found no difference in breast sagginess between women who'd breastfed and those who hadn't. They say it’s pregnancy itself that’s more likely to cause the problem
What’s in it for you?
1 It helps your recovery The hormones released when you breastfeed stimulate your uterus to contract back down to its pre-pregnancy size, helping to seal the blood vessels where the uterus was attached and reducing bleeding after the birth.
2 It helps you shed pregnancy pounds Calories are no match for breastfeeding: it’s hard work and burns through the pounds you’ll have put on in the final few weeks – in fact, you gained that weight specifically so you could feed your baby!
3 It cuts your breast cancer risk If you breastfeed your baby for at least three to six months, your risk of breast cancer reduces, falling even further if you keep nursing for longer. Breastfeeding also lowers ovarian cancer risk.
4 It’s a chance to sit down Let’s face it, combining 24-7 baby care with chores or work is exhausting – and if there are older siblings in the mix you probably won’t get that many excuses for taking the weight off your feet. Breastfeeding means you have to take a time out for however long it takes to satisfy your baby so put your feet up and ignore everything else – you deserve it.
5 It’s easier Breast milk is free, on tap, sterile and delivered at the right temperature. Breastfeeding frees you from the hassle of preparing bottles, having to ensure they’re adequately cleaned and sterilized, forking out your hard-earned $$s on formula and having to get up in the night to warm feeds while your hungry baby cries.