How good is breastfeeding?

Almost all of us are taught at home that breastfeeding is best for the child, regardless of the bond with the mother. Subsequently, all kinds of critical comments about breastfeeding appear again, only to “rediscover” breastfeeding a few years later. Just as with so many things, the question of whether or not to breastfeed also means that there is always a scientist who has the urge to assert himself and comes up with something “new” with a publication. And oh well, sometimes we take over and other times we don’t. With breastfeeding, how natural do you want something, that also played a role. Certain substances could be added to bottle feeding that are good for the baby or if the mother’s eating and drinking pattern is not good, this will be to the detriment of the baby.

Of course the latter is also somewhat true, so it is all about eating healthily as a nursing mother, but this actually applies to everyone. Sooner or later you will be presented with a bad diet.

Nothing better than…

It is now clear that breastfeeding is the best food for your baby. Logically, because it obviously contains exactly the nutrients the baby needs. Moreover, it provides protection against diseases and infections. Preferably breastfeeding for as long as possible is good for the baby and up to 5 to 6 months is actually not strange at all.

A pleasant effect for the mother is that it is easier for her to regain her pre-pregnancy weight. The breasts also return to normal breasts and it is often mistakenly said that breasts will sag after breastfeeding. But whether or not breastfeeding makes no difference to the possible sagging of the breasts.

Source: Milli Lu, Pixabay

Enough?
Occasionally it happens that a woman has too little milk, but usually the amount that the child wants comes. If you latch a child more often, the body will also produce more milk. In the beginning the baby may come 10 to 12 times a day and usually this decreases to 6 to 8 times.

Postnatal depression

Unfortunately, quite a few women suffer from postnatal depression (one in ten women), but British research has shown that the risk of postnatal depression is halved if a woman breastfeeds.
Unfortunately, women who really want to breastfeed, but are unable to do so, have a slightly greater risk of postnatal depression. Good guidance is always important, but especially during this period.

More women’s than men’s stuff

Strictly speaking, this is of course also the case that breastfeeding is more of a woman’s thing than a man’s thing, but by being actively involved as a man, it is no longer just a woman’s thing. Stay with it as much as possible, put the baby on and capture it in a photo. Furthermore, women still have the idea that they may be giving too little, so some reassurance can help.

The alternative

Bottle feeding, which was very popular for some time, is declining in popularity again. Bottle feeding is of course not bad, but it lacks the natural antibodies found in breast milk. Certainly what is provided by breast milk in the first few days (colostrum) is very important for the baby. It contains substances that protect against diseases. It gives a boost in those first days and once children start drinking, they automatically receive the normal amount of antibodies. The first period should be seen more as a good basis.

What you also miss with bottle feeding is the skin-to-skin contact with your baby. The cuddle hormone, officially called oxytocin, ensures peace and relaxation. Moreover, it helps the baby if he or she gets an injection.

Finally

Of course, every woman must decide for herself whether she wants to breastfeed or not. We do know that it is good for the baby and the mother. If you want the best for your baby, there are no reasons to consciously not breastfeed, but there are still women who do not want it and you must respect that too. Free choice for every mother.