Top 10 Reasons To Breastfeed Chances are youve heard about at least some of the benefits of breastfeeding -- like boosting babys brainpower and upping your bonding time. But were willing to bet there are still some selling points that may surprise you. Read on as we highlight the best reasons to breastfeed that weve heard yet. 1. Youll feel far less crazy (we promise!) A study of postpartum mamas found that those who breastfed their babies showed far less anxiety and more mutuality at one month postpartum than those who didnt. 2. It lowers the risk of childhood cancers One study found the risk of childhood cancer in formula-fed children was 2-8 times that of long-term breastfed children. The risk for short-term formula feeders was 1-9 times that of long-term breast feeders. 3. ...And breast cancer in mamas! Get this: If women who breast fed for less than 3 months were to stick it out for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduce by 11%. And if they stayed with it for 24 months or longer, those risks could be reduced by nearly 25%. 4. Smart kids rule Studies show that breastfed babies have significantly higher IQs by 8 years old than babies who didnt breastfeed -- even after adjusting the stats for differences between groups and Moms educational and social class. 5. You could save on braces The longer you breastfeed, the lower the liklihood that baby will suffer from malocclusion -- aka a fancy word for misalignment of the teeth and dental arches. 6. It cuts down on childhood obesity Breastfeeding has long been tied with reducing the rate of childhood obesity, regardless of Moms diabetes or weight status. 7. Allergies and ailments are no biggie Respiratory wheezing, influenza, diarrhea, allergies, and eczema are way less common in breastfed babies -- think about all those trips to the doc you wont have to make! 8. It saves lives -- and government money! If just 90% of US mamas breastfed exclusively for 6 months, not only would an estimated 900 babies live, but the United States would save $13 billion per year. (Yep, $13 BILLION.) 9. Oh, and itll save you a ton of cash, too Believe it or not, formula supplies for just six months can cost upwards of $1,000. 10. Youll fit into your skinny jeans faster! Breastfeeding burns an average of 500 calories a day. Yes, really. Need we say more? pregnant.thebump
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:09:34 +0000
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