45 Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom, Baby, and Society

Breastfeeding consultants are always amazed at the benefits that breastfeeding or giving breast milk can bring to all of us.

Yes, not only for mother and baby, but also for us as a society. And the exciting thing is: there is still a long way to go before research into the effects of breastfeeding or the contents of breast milk is complete. Unfortunately, many people are unfamiliar with the many advantages, and it is so important that not only the (expectant) mothers know them, but also those around them. Because the better we know about the benefits, the more mothers and babies are supported in breastfeeding or the desire to breastfeed, the more role models there are, the more breastfeeding is recognized in society, the more breastfeeding is encouraged. Since not every mother is breastfeeding or can or would like to breastfeed, but for example pumps breast milk and gives the breast milk using the cup method, finger feeding or the bottle, we have divided the benefits into breastfeeding and breast milk administration. So you can see the advantages for your respective situation.

So here they are: The Certainly Incomplete 45 Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom, Baby, and Society:

By breastfeeding, your eye contact and reacting to his needs, your bond will be built and his basic trust strengthened.
Your baby feels safe and secure through physical contact
Through the body contact, your warmth, your smell, your voices, your heartbeat, your baby is calmed down and is less stressed
By breastfeeding your baby as needed, it develops a natural feeling of hunger and satiety, which can lead to the fact that breastfed children are less likely to be overweight later in life
The fine motor skills of your baby are promoted by the independent docking, the sucking process, the grasping and the massage of the breast
Breastfeeding and body contact regulate temperature, heartbeat and breathing
Breastfeeding strengthens the jaw and mouth muscles, which can cause breastfed babies to speak earlier
Through direct body contact and breastfeeding after the birth, the germ colonization of your baby changes and it is less susceptible to pathogenic germs
Longer breastfeeding reduces later behavioral problems
Breastfeeding relieves pain
With intuitive breastfeeding, your baby’s natural reflexes are used and his or her self-confidence is strengthened

Benefits of breastfeeding: To your baby

Is particularly well tolerated by your baby and very easy to digest thanks to special enzymes and proteins
The components of breast milk help build up your baby’s intestinal flora
The antibodies contained in breast milk protect your baby from infections and diseases (nest protection)
The immunoglobulin contained, especially IgA, prevent allergies
Your baby receives nutrients tailored to its level of development and the prevailing situation – just as it needs them, whether hot or cold, whether at night or during the day, whether boy or girl, the breast milk adapts accordingly and is therefore the optimal nutrition for Your baby
Due to the special composition of breast milk, children are less likely to become diabetic
The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is reduced by about half after more than 2 months of breastfeeding
Babies who have received breast milk, for example, are less likely to have ear or pneumonia later
Breast milk is exactly the temperature your baby needs
Breast milk promotes the development of all important organs from the heart to the brain
The risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis is reduced in premature babies
Breast milk protects against inflammatory bowel disease
Babies who are breastfed for more than 12 months have a better intelligence quotient
Early and needs-based breastfeeding helps to excrete meconium and thus bilirubin and thus reduces the likelihood of newborn jaundice
Regulates your baby’s blood sugar level shortly after birth
The unique composition of breast milk contains special growth hormones that allow your baby to thrive
With lactoferrin, your baby can absorb iron particularly well, which strengthens the protection against infection
The fats in breast milk are wonderful sources of energy for your baby
Long-term breastfeeding can reduce the later, chronic stuttering

Benefits of breastfeeding: To the Mom

Oxytocin is released through eye and body contact, you feel happy and your bond is strengthened, which also reduces the likelihood of postpartum depression
The release of oxytocin causes the uterus to contract, which promotes its regression
If you breastfeed immediately after the birth, this supports the rapid detachment of the placenta
The longer the breastfeeding relationship lasts, the lower the risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer
The longer the breastfeeding relationship lasts, the lower the risk of osteoporosis
The menstrual period usually stops or starts late
The longer you breastfeed, the better or faster your body weight will be reduced due to the high calorie consumption
Long-term breastfeeding for 15 months halves the risk of multiple sclerosis
The longer you breastfeed your baby or produce breast milk, the lower the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes

Benefits of breastfeeding: To mom and baby

Breastfeeding whenever and wherever you want
Breast milk doesn’t cost any money
Both of you are more relaxed and balanced because of the hormone releases

Benefits of breastfeeding: To our society

Breastfeeding is prevention of diseases of the mother and the child, therefore costs in the health sector are reduced / avoided in the long term
Breastfeeding is environmentally friendly (significantly less waste through packaging, bottles, etc.), no energy consumption through heating / cooling, etc.
Breastfeeding is social, it promotes the exchange with one another, the sense of family, shows that breastfeeding is a matter of course from an early age and thus avoids many breastfeeding problems, as knowledge about breastfeeding is promoted naturally and through role models