After my son was born and I started to research breastfeeding, I fell in love with God even more. He thought of everything!! Apart from the mind blowing health benefits, what had me on board from the get go, was the milk on tap! Warm and ready to drink! 🙂 Perfected to their needs, according to their age and the time of day. If all else fails to calm their wrath, whip it out and there you go. Coma inducing, eye rolling, contentment. Bliss. A sleeping, satisfied baby !
When your baby nurses, the hormone oxytocin is released. Scientists call it the love or bonding hormone. It makes you both relax and bond. Mommy and baby chemistry!! This same hormone also makes your uterus contract and eventually shrink back to its original size. Isn’t God amazing?!
Boosts immune system by supporting healthy gut flora
Newborns have a virgin gut. This basically means that their tummies are almost sterile and the gaps in their small intestine are big enough to allow pathogens to enter the bloodstream. This is why it is so important to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months. Not only does breast milk introduce the good kind of bacteria, but it actually feeds the good bacteria and kills the bad ones!! Healthy gut flora is instrumental to a strong immune system. To further blow your mind, read this post on the importance of Breastfeeding and healthy gut flora! :
The Alpha Parent : The Virgin GutBum cream – who knew?!
Because breast milk is packed with all of the good kinds of bacteria, it also sorts a nappy rash like nothing else.
combats cancer
Breastfeeding drastically reduces your risk of ovarian and breast cancer. The longer you nurse, the smaller your risk of cancer will be.
custom made
Your body can sense your baby’s age, whether he is sick, hot or cold and adjusts the composition and temperature of your milk accordingly. The composition will even be different at different times of the day.
day / night regulation
Newborns don’t have their own established circadian rhythm. This means that their internal clocks aren’t telling them when it is night or day or when to sleep. A mom’s milk contains more melatonin in the evenings, which regulates the circadian rhythm and helps them sleep better at night!
I personally think we don’t know half of what there is to know about breastfeeding. It remains a miracle in my eyes!!
Update
I have since been approached by Reviews.com to have a look at the research they have done on formulas as an alternative to breastmilk.
Having to decide on the right formula, when breast feeding is not an option, can be somewhat of a minefield with the overflow of information and opinions online. They have made fact based recommendations, taking into account factors such as protein sources, probiotics, and additives ranging from Omega-3 fatty acids DHA, ARA, lactoferrin,
MFGM (lipids that support cognitive development).
Another great resource is the ‘The Babble Out’, with research done aimed at formulas easier on babies who are prone to gas and lactose intolerance. To read what Zoey Miller has to say,
CLICK HERE.
