The Benefits of Breastfeeding Essay Example

Breastfeeding offers more benefits for mother and baby than formula. A baby can receive more than just health benefits from breast milk, babies who are exclusively breastfed are shown to have a higher intelligence quotient than babies that are fed formula (Dhingra, 143). For mothers, some of the benefits of breastfeeding include a reduced risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes (Uvna ̈s-Moberg & Ekstro ̈m-Bergstro ̈m, 4,5). Breastfeeding has been shown to provide life-saving protection from infections.  

Neonatal infections can be reduced by the antibodies in the mother’s milk. A mother’s body adapts to a baby in many ways such as sleep patterns and instincts, but also in their milk production, a mother’s body will adapt to what the baby needs and provide those nutrients through breastmilk. Breastmilk has been proven to provide barriers against infection. Host defense immunity factors, immunoglobulin A, nucleotides, growth factors, lactoferrin, and lysozymes are all properties of breastmilk. Defense immunity factors are important for the body because it provides defenses against viral infections. Immunoglobin A is an antibody that is produced by white blood cells. This specific antibody acts as the first line of defense. Nucleotides are important to newborns because they repair the gut and enhance immune responses. Breastmilk contains epidermal growth factors which aid in the maturation and healing of the intestinal mucosa. Neuronal growth factors are also in breastmilk which contains glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors that increase neuron survival and outgrowth. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), without regulation of this factor, can lead to dysregulated vascularization of the retina. Breastmilk also contains multiple enzymes such as amylase, lipase, protease, lactoferrin, lysozymes, diastase, and lactoperoxidase. Amylase is a digesting enzyme, babies are born with premature pancreases, which are responsible for the production of amylase, therefore babies receive most of this enzyme through breastmilk. Lipase would be the fat-digesting enzyme, it’s responsible for the digestion and separation of free fatty acids and glycerol. Protease is responsible for the breakdown of proteins which helps with digestion.  Lactoferrin plays a big role in infant immunity because of its ability to prevent infection, assist in iron metabolism, is an antioxidant, and have anti-inflammatory properties. Lactoferrin is also primarily responsible for helping infants absorb iron. Lysozymes found in breastmilk act as an antibiotic protecting infants from salmonella and e. coli. The increase in lysozymes from colostrum to premature milk also allows the protection of infants from germs that can cause illness or diarrhea. Diastase also plays an important role in digestion, acting as a backup defense for amylase. Lactoperoxidase acts as the first line of defense against bacteria and viruses.  Breastfed babies have been shown to have higher lymphocytes than formula-fed babies. 

In addition to the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding, breastmilk is easier for newborns to digest. Easier digestion for newborns means fewer occasions of diarrhea or constipation. As a society, we always talk about eating healthier, less processed foods, and more natural foods, so why not feed our babies naturally as well? Feeding babies breastmilk can also help them with gassiness. Breastmilk produces oligosaccharides which are believed to promote the growth of protective bacteria in the colon. Breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce the chance of gastroesophageal reflux. 

There are also more than just nutritional benefits of breast milk, such as helping with diaper rashes when patted on the baby’s bottom and air-dried. Eczema can also be improved by using breastmilk in place of hydrocortisone. Breastmilk can be used to treat nipple problems such as chapped nipples. Conjunctivitis is another thing that can be helped with breastmilk by applying a couple of drops to the eye. Breastmilk works the same with ear infections, a couple of drops of breastmilk can help clear up an ear infection. When you mix breastmilk with water you can spray on insect bites and sunburn for soothing relief. The same water and breastmilk combination can be applied to the scalp to help with the cradle cap. Breastfeeding can also reduce conditions such as asthma, eczema, respiratory diseases, and gastrointestinal diseases.

Mothers benefit from breastfeeding just as much as babies do. There are benefits such as postpartum weight loss for mothers and quicker postpartum recovery. Breastfeeding burns extra calories, helping the mother to lose pregnancy weight. When a woman is breastfeeding oxytocin is released, which can cause the uterus to contract back to its regular size quicker and can also reduce postpartum bleeding. Physical contact is promoted due to the closeness of breastfeeding and encourages a bond that you cannot receive from formula feeding. Women who have breastfed have also been shown to have reduced breast and ovarian cancer rates later in life. Studies have shown that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Breastfeeding also delays a woman’s period making it easier to extend the time between pregnancies. With all these benefits for the mother, the most important is the bond you will experience with your child. 

There are different techniques and options to help mothers produce enough milk and to help ensure that babies are provided enough to eat. Your child is likely receiving enough breastmilk if they are nursing 8-12 times every 24 hours. If a baby seems content and happy after feeding, unlatching on their own, or unclenching their fists is also signs that they are receiving enough to eat. Another way to ensure that your baby is receiving enough to eat is by weight gain, an infant should gain at least 5 ounces a week for the first four months of life. An obvious way to make sure your child is getting milk is obvious gulping when nursing. Stools are a big way to ensure that your baby is receiving enough nutrients, an infant should have 3-4 stools every day by day four. Wet diapers ensure that your baby is receiving enough nutrients as well, by 5 days old a baby should have 6 or more wet diapers within 24 hours. The most important way to ensure that a baby has been receiving enough nutrients is if the baby is active and alert when awake and meeting developmental milestones. 

The formula is a version of artificial milk that is used to mimic a mother’s natural milk. Formula lacks the immunity-boosting elements that breastmilk has. Breastmilk has also been proven to digest easier than formula. The formula can become costly at almost $20 per can, whereas breastfeeding is free, and the nutrients come from the mother and are not an artificial source. All formula has one taste every time whereas mother’s milk has different flavors depending on what the mother eats. Therefore, when the baby experiences different tastes, their mind is more open to solid foods and the different tastes they have to offer. Breastfeeding also offers a convenience you cannot get from formula such as not needing bottles, and not having to wake up in the middle of the night and prepare a bottle. The skin-to-skin contact that a mother receives and that creates an emotional bond is something formula could never offer. Formula feeding requires planning and organization to feed with bottles and the formula measurements for so long, whereas breastfed babies can eat at ease anywhere with it the perfect temperature and no limit.

I would also like to hopefully clarify some myths about breastfeeding such as having to stick to certain diets and having to pump and dump due to alcohol consumption and many other myths. Some people say that they will not know if their child is getting enough food, while you can’t measure exactly how much your child is taking in, your baby will give you cues as to when they are hungry. Breastfeeding has also been said to make you gain weight because of the increased calorie intake, however, you burn more calories when you breastfeed, helping you lose weight. Mothers may wonder if breastfeeding will ruin their breasts and that is false, nursing has no effect on the shape of your breasts. Some women may think that their breasts are too small to breastfeed and that is false as well, any size of the breast can breastfeed. The more you nurse, the more milk your breasts produce. Not being able to breastfeed when going back to work is also a myth. You can feed the baby right before leaving for work and as soon as you get home. While at work you can hand express or pump milk and store it in a refrigerator. Then later the caregiver can give that milk to the baby in a bottle. Special diets when breastfeeding is also a myth. There’s no special diet to be successful at breastfeeding. Breastmilk that has been contaminated by drinking alcohol can also be used for other things such as to treat diaper rash instead of pumping and dumping. 

Overall breastfeeding is more convenient and beneficial to mothers and babies than formula. From the cost to the convenience of no bottles, to the nutrients, that mother's milk has, there’s no question that it’s the better choice.