Pros of breastfeeding
Breast milk is a combination of nutrients and immunities that are very essential for your child’s health say all pediatricians and lactation consultants. They recommend feed your baby in such manner at least first six months of life. Breast milk has ideal temperature and doesn’t require any preparation time compare to formula. Mothers can feed their children anywhere and any time. Breastfeeding will be beneficial not only to your baby but for you also. Your body needs lots of energy to produce milk. Therefore, women who breastfeed their babies can potentially come back in their pre-pregnancy shape faster and without doing pretty much anything for it. However, breastfeeding mothers shouldn’t solely rely on that because it might not work for everyone since women are so different. It depends on your body, your metabolism, your food choices, and your activity level.
Your own milk is natural supply which will never run out if you will follow all your lactation consultant’s advices and will keep in touch with her for the whole year. It is a great saving also. Formula feeding parents have to send lots of money for formula itself, bottles, sanitizers, etc. Breastfeeding parents have to spend anything because it is completely free. Parents shouldn’t worry of changing formulas if your child will have allergies or constipations. With breastfeeding you might reduce your doctor’s visits also because your child will less likely have some troubles with digestion, constipation, and some other health problems like vision, hearing, physical and mental development.
If a mother will return to work she can pump her milk at the same time when she normally feeds her baby and then store it for future use. Lactation consultants can make an individual schedule for working moms on how and when they should do it. They say that storing your breast milk is safe for you baby because it can stay in the freezer up to several months. You should just write the date on each bottle or breast milk storage bag.
Cons of breastfeeding
Despite the fact that there are so many pros of breastfeeding there are some cons exist as well. For some mothers it is more difficult to learn how to breast feed than for others. It can be long, tiring, exhausting, and frustrating process. Your nipples can get sore and they will hurt a lot. You will feel more tired because your body needs lots of energy to produce the milk. Mothers need to change their life styles due to breastfeeding and adjust themselves to feed their babies in every 2-3 hours. The babies should eat from 8 to 12 times a day. Since everything what women eat affects the milk, mothers should avoid certain foods and drinks. Read more about what to eat while breastfeeding.
If a woman won’t breastfeed frequently, she might be at risk of getting mastitis. In the worst case scenario, a mother can even lose her breast milk. This can happen due to stress, not following lactation consultant’s advices, or inappropriate diet when she wants to come back to her pre-pregnancy shape sooner than it is supposed to be. Sometime a mother’s milk can dry out because she doesn’t know how to breastfeed properly and manage her milk supply. Remedies do exist, however. Just don’t give up and contact your lactation consultant if you have any concern or questions as soon as possible. Earlier you fix this problem the better will be for you and your baby.
Medical Disclaimer
The author is not a doctor and the information in the article is general in nature with no medical advises given or imply. Talk to your doctor, nurse or medical advisor how to treat health related problems.