For Mom
- Breastfeeding burns as many as 500 extra calories each day, which may make it easier to lose the weight you gained during pregnancy.
- Women who breastfeed longer have lower rates of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
- Women who breastfeed have lower rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
- Breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin that causes the uterus to contract and may decrease the amount of bleeding you have after giving birth.
For Babies
- Breast milk has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein, and minerals needed for a baby’s growth and development.
- Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, and breastfed babies have less gas, fewer feeding problems, and less constipation.
- Breastmilk contain antibodies that protect infants from certain illnesses, such as ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and allergies.
- Breastfed infants have lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
- If your baby is born preterm, breastmilk can help reduce the risk of many of the short-term and long-term health problems.
Source: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists