There has been an ongoing debate about the benefits and disadvantages of breastfeeding babies. There are some people who firmly believe that breastfeeding is natural, healthy, and promotes motherhood while there are others who feel that infants should not be fed with “something their mother would prefer to them”. While there may be strong arguments on both sides of this debate, there is no denying the fact that there are many benefits that come from breastfeeding. One of the most important benefits that comes from breastfeeding is the nutritional benefits that come from the milk that a mother feeds her baby through the breastfeeding process. Breastfeeding is a very natural way for a mother to feed her child, and babies do get a lot of nutritional benefits from this type of milk.
Most people who question the benefits of breastfeeding tend to fall back on the argument that babies shouldn’t be fed with what their mother would prefer them to eat. It seems as though these people think formula is the answer to everything. In order to properly nourish a baby through breastfeeding, a mother should only use her own milk. So, is the formula really the answer when it comes to breastfeeding?
While there may be some argument about the safety of using formula, anyone who has ever tried to breastfeed knows that it is still very healthy for the baby. Of course, there are some problems that can arise from this practice. However, these problems are rare, and most people find that they are very mild and unlikely to happen. It is usually the mother’s own weight loss which causes these problems, not due to the formula itself.
Besides the health reasons of providing a baby with breast milk, the emotional benefits are excellent. For one thing, you will find that your baby will grow up with more empathy and understanding. This is a wonderful trait, and anyone who has ever been in the presence of a newborn knows that it takes time to get these traits. By allowing your baby to nurse from the beginning, you can begin to teach him or her these things as early as infancy. It is amazing how much easier this process is once babies are able to nurse from their mothers.
However, the greatest benefit that you may feel comfortable with is the fact that breastfeeding is more comfortable for the mother. Some women worry about how their body will change while they are breastfeeding. In addition to the fact that it is very comfortable, you will also find that you are able to bond with your baby while breastfeeding. You will naturally be able to hear his needs and be able to respond accordingly. In addition, you will find that you are able to relax more and remain calm more easily. Many women feel less stressed after breastfeeding.
Some experts point out that breastfeeding offers significant psychological benefits to infant development. It may even be beneficial to the infant’s mental health. Raising a child while breastfeeding can help mothers to bond with their infants in a special way that is not possible with bottle-feeding. There is also some evidence that breastfeeding helps develop the intellectual capacity of an infant, allowing them to process information more quickly.
If there are any disadvantages of breast feeding, they are mostly negative. One common criticism is that some mothers who are not properly positioned to breastfeed do not feel the full effects of breastfeeding. Some mothers do notice that their babies do not take to their milk right away. It is also important to note that many medical studies have shown that breastfed infants are less susceptible to infection compared to those that are bottle fed. Also, some researchers note that breastfed infants tend to weigh more than their bottle-fed counterparts. This is likely due to the fact that the mother is producing extra milk.
The breastfeeding debate has yet to reach a conclusion, although some groups have already formed opposing views. It is expected that more studies will continue to surface. Those who are in favor of breastfeeding emphasize the positive effects of it while those that are against expectant mothers breastfeeding for personal reasons do not agree.
