Here are the reasons why I breastfed my daughter for nine months:
Sense of Closeness
When I was breastfeeding, I love the bond that it created between me and our daughter. I would sit in the rocking chair and watch her face as I nurse her. It was great and fun when she had to stop to give me a smile.
Our time together during breastfeeding was one of the best moment of my life as a mother.
Easier and Cheaper
It was very convenient for me when the family go for a long trip. I don't remember packing up the trunk with feeding bottles and formula. When it was feeding time, we would park at the gasoline station or somewhere else and feed her in the car.
At the store, I nursed her at the restroom. There is a special area at galleria mall though that is provided for nursing moms where it is more comfortable. It was up to me which one to choose.
When she wake up at night, I just pick her up and nurse her. I did not need to wash any feeding bottles, prepare or warm the formula.
The most convenient part was it did not ruin our budget. The only thing we needed to buy was nursing pad which did not cost a lot (except the diapers).
Benefits for the Baby
I always believed that breast milk is the perfect food which has the right nutrients with right amounts to nourish our baby.
On my breastfeeding class, I learned that the protein and fat in breast milk are better used by the baby's body than the protein and fat in formula. Breast milk is easier than formula for babies to digest. They experience less gas, fewer feeding problems and less constipation.
The antibodies that help the baby's immune system to fight illnesses can be found in breastmilk. Breastfed children are less likely to have ear infection, respiratoty infections, allergies, diarrhea and meningitis.
Our one year old daughter never had those sicknesses even once and we are glad for it.
Benefits for the Mother
Here are three things I learned during my breastfeeding class why breastfeeding is beneficial for mother's health:
- Breastfeeding helps the uterus return to its normal size quickly and stop the bleeding after delivery. It is good to breastfeed your newborn right away.
- Breastfeeding burn calories. You are likely to to return to your pre-pregnancy weight faster.
- Nursing decreases the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
