You must have already heard a number of times as to how beneficial breastfeeding is for your baby! But did you know that the benefits of breastfeeding also extend to you? Surprised? Well, check out this list of benefits you AND your baby can derive from the act of breastfeeding!
Stronger Bones
What if we told you that women who breastfeed their babies more have a lower risk of developing osteoporosis post-menopause? This is due to the fact that when a woman is pregnant and lactating, her body is able to absorb calcium more effectively. Essentially what this means is even though during the weaning phase, a mother’s bones seem less dense, their density increases brilliantly compared to what it was like before pregnancy, six months post-weaning!
Calorie Burner
Your breast milk contains 20 calories per ounce! Did you know that? Amazing isn’t it? So basically, if you are feeding your baby 20 ounces a day, you end up burning 400 calories, literally!
Better Healing
You obviously know that after delivery your uterus needs time to heal and contract back to its normal size. Breastfeeding helps precisely with that very aspect! When you are nursing your baby, your body releases oxytocin! This very hormone helps to contract your expanded uterus and also lessens the post-delivery blood loss!
Increases Bonding
Breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby more effectively than anything else. From reading his/her cues as to when he/she is hungry to when they have had their share of milk, you need to rely on your bond with the baby and your instincts!
A Vacay from Periods
Thanks to Prolactin that is also released during breastfeeding, you can now expect your periods to come at a later stage, since prolactin delays ovulation thus delaying your periods. The release of the prolactin helps keep the progesterone and estrogen at bay, as a result of which your period gets delayed.
Healthier Babies
A lot of research done regarding breastfeeding shows that breastfed babies are healthier and even have better antibody response top vaccines!
FAQ's
Q. Does breastfeeding benefit the mother as well as the baby?
Ans.Yes, breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for both. For mothers, it supports healing, burns calories, improves bone strength, and delays periods. For babies, it boosts immunity and overall health.
Q. How does breastfeeding help with weight loss?
Ans.Breastfeeding burns calories—about 20 calories per ounce of milk. If you're feeding 20 ounces daily, that’s approximately 400 calories burned.
Q. Can breastfeeding affect bone health?
Ans.Yes, women who breastfeed absorb calcium more efficiently during lactation. Though bone density may dip during weaning, it typically rebounds and strengthens post-weaning.
Q. How does breastfeeding help the uterus heal?
Ans.Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which helps the uterus contract and return to its normal size more quickly while reducing post-delivery bleeding.
Q. Does breastfeeding delay menstruation?
Ans.Yes, the hormone prolactin released during breastfeeding can delay ovulation, which in turn delays the return of menstrual periods.
Q. Does breastfeeding strengthen the mother-baby bond?
Ans.Absolutely. Breastfeeding helps mothers tune into their baby’s cues and fosters emotional closeness through skin-to-skin contact and hormonal bonding.
Q. Are breastfed babies healthier?
Ans.Research shows that breastfed babies tend to have stronger immune systems and a better antibody response to vaccines.
