With the world becoming progressively more inclined towards breastfeeding babies, regardless of the time of day and the spatial setting – for the demands of maternity cannot be neglected – it is imperative that mothers make informed and conscious choices to give their babies the healthiest option there is. Children grow up exposed to food that is not necessarily sustainable for their long-term health and wellbeing, and therefore, it is imperative that they start off on the right foot with breastfeeding. Here are a couple of advantages of breastfeeding for you and your baby:
• Your baby starts off on the right food and is much healthier. Science shows that breastfed babies grow up with a strong degree of immunity and have a reduced incidence of pneumonia, colds, viral infections and even gastrointestinal infections such as diarrhea and indigestion.
• Breastfed babies are strengthened enough to keep their health in order, so as to stay away from suffering chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease and even Crohn’s disease. Breastfeeding helps babies process the healthiest food, and therefore they tend to grow up stronger.
• Women who breastfeed their children tend to have stronger bone health, and synthesise calcium better. During pregnancy, when a woman is lactating, her body absorbs calcium more efficiently, which helps strengthen the spine and hips. There is a lower risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
• Breastfed babies are also less vulnerable to sudden infant death syndrome by about half the rate.
• Women who breastfeed are less likely to become obese, and the babies that are breastfed are also less likely to gain weight in their growing years, as well. The BMI, or body mass index remains in order. Breastfeeding is, itself, a calorie burner, and helps sweep out excess calories of the body.
• Breastfeeding is also exceptionally helpful in healing and addressing post delivery needs and recovery. Oxytocin that is released when the baby feeds and nurses will help the uterus contract, therefore reducing the amount of blood loss, and also helps the uterus return to its normal size quickly – at six weeks post partum, which would otherwise take 10 weeks if you don’t breastfeed.
• By breastfeeding, women are less vulnerable to cancer. It lowers the risk of premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer, which is a rather deadly disease that is on the rise. Since breastfeeding helps the circulation of bodily hormones after pregnancy and during lactation, it is also exceptionally useful in creating a body memory that will help keep the hormones in circulation comfortably and keep cancer at bay.

References
http://www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/breastfeeding/20-breastfeeding-benefits-mom-baby
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/stages-etapes/childhood-enfance_0-2/nutrition/reasons-raisons-eng.php

Picture Courtesy: .forestlanepediatrics.com