Any woman who gives birth experiences an unparalleled sense of awe and delight at the arrival of a new life. The mother will have several choices to make regarding what is best for the baby starting at the moment of birth. Most people don't need to think twice about some choices; protecting and caring for others comes naturally to them.
Suckle-seeking is the most basic of all these instincts, for both mother and child.
There is no denying the benefits of breastfeeding over bottle feeding. Although experts do not believe that bottle feeding is harmful to infants, they all agree that there are advantages to breastfeeding that cannot be matched by formula milk or bottles.
Breastfeeding has benefits for mothers as well. After giving birth, many mothers worry about whether they will regain their figure. This might just seem like a vanity worry, but for many new mothers, it's a very serious one. A mother's daily caloric requirement will rise by about 500 after giving birth, and her body will begin to store extra fat. However, most breastfeeding women will begin to burn more fat than bottle-feeding mothers around 3-6 months, which will help with weight loss.
Uterus Involution
The uterus of a woman significantly grows during pregnancy. In fact, it can grow up to 500 times larger than it was before becoming pregnant. The uterus should shrink to its regular size after giving birth; this process is known as involution. The hormone oxytocin facilitates the involution process. Breastfeeding speeds up and improves the process of involution by increasing the body's rate of oxytocin production. Additionally, oxytocin aids in lessening any postpartum hemorrhage
Reduction in Post-Natal Depression
The oxytocin hormone has a wide range of advantages. The parts of the brain that encourage rest, nurturing, and anti-anxiety stimuli appear to be impacted by oxytocin. Oxytocin-driven neurochemical balance appears to lessen the incidence of post-natal depression. Up to 15% of new mothers suffer from the terrible ailment known as post-natal depression. According to studies, the percentage of moms who are affected by the illness who are also breastfeeding is relatively low.
Mother’s Overall and Long-Term Health
According to statistics, breastfeeding helps to safeguard a mother's long-term health by reducing her risk of contracting many ailments. According to studies, the health benefits increase with the length of a mother's breastfeeding. Mothers who continue to breastfeed their children after the first 12 months of life have a 28% decreased chance of developing ovarian and breast cancer. Breastfeeding is associated with a 4.3% lower risk of developing breast cancer each year. In addition to having a lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and arthritis, moms who breastfeed for extended periods of time are also less likely to experience excessive blood fat levels.
Time and Money Saved
Because breastfeeding is free. The decision to bottle-feed will be costly. A mother must make sure she has enough supplies, including bottles, teats, and cleaning tools. The constant expense of purchasing formula milk is another factor. Additionally time-consuming is bottle feeding. Bottles need to be made, and the necessary equipment needs to be sanitized. Warming bottles, which can be particularly uncomfortable when traveling, need to be planned for.
Of course, every mother has the option, and it is solely up to them to make that decision. There truly isn't a choice after assessing all the information, the advantages and disadvantages, and the short- and long-term advantages.
PDO I Kimberly Tanador, RND
References:
What are the Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mums
https://www.medela.com/breastfeeding/mums-journey/breastfeeding-benefits-mum
https://www.centrastatematernity.com/15-benefits-of-breastfeeding-for-mom-and-baby/
The Benefits of Breastfeeding
