Breastfeeding is Awesome

A good portion of our second Bradley birth class centered around the benefits of breastfeeding. Years ago, I thought that I would definitely use formula as a result of various things I had heard about breastfeeding. Back then, I was also really sure that I'd want the drugs and to not remember anything about birth. But, in learning that working with nature, instead of against it, can make birth so much easier, it was a no-brainer that the natural option of breastfeeding would be a better choice. It wasn't until I recently met with a friend who just gave birth did I learn a few amazing benefits to breastfeeding. Many of these were reinforced at yesterday's Bradley class. Benefits include:

• Breast milk is free, so it saves money.
• Breastfeeding moms get better sleep.  Breastmilk needs no preparation (it's ready at all times), and you can sleep and feed.
• Breast milk is always the right temperature.
•  Breastfed babies have less upset tummies.  Breast milk as active cultures and is easier for babies to digest.  
• Colostrum, a thick milk produced the week after baby is born, is "liquid gold" that provides baby with so many nutrients and antibodies for a healthy baby.
• Breastfed babies have less allergies to food and environmental conditions.  They get the right food at the right time that their bodies can handle.
• Breast milk has antibacterial properties. Put it on boo-boos to help heal. Our Bradley instructor said that she even put some in the eye of her little one to combat conjunctivitis in the eye. Good for rashes, cradle cap, etc. A little squirtie-squirt, you know...
• Breast-fed babies statistically spend less time in the doctor's office.  They have less illness and less disease.
• Mom and baby share antibodies.  If baby gets sick, breastfeeding will allow mom to produce antibodies to ward off the disease for the baby.  If mom gets sick, it can give the antibodies to the baby, so that the baby doesn't get it.
• Breastfeeding is a baby pain reliever. It is a security blanket for baby. Our Bradley instructor said that there were times where she nursed her kids through shots in the doctor's office, and that really helped them stay calm. 
• Breast feeding is great for brain development. Statistically, children who were breast fed have higher IQ's. Our Bradley instructor commented that this could also be due to the mom's who choose to breastfeed having higher IQ's, so it's possible that it's genetics and not the milk itself.
• Breastfed babies statistically better teeth. It's harder to get milk out of the breast, so the sucking develops a baby's jaw. Better for bite development. And, more natural sugars in breast milk.
• Breastfed babies have less smelly diapers.
• Moms who breastfeed lessen their risk for cancer (ovarian, breast, etc.), and the longer and more children women breastfeed, the less risk they have. Our Bradley instructor commented that cancer tends to attach itself to general cells, and the more women have children and breastfeed, the more of those general cells have purpose.
• Something that really stuck out for Cortney was our instructor's comment that breast milk is said to combat HIV.

I am so excited to spend quality time with baby Lily while breastfeeding. How exciting!