One of the most important decisions you will make during your pregnancy is how to feed your new baby. This decision needs to be made during pregnancy, so you can get off to the right start when the baby arrives. I made the decision to breastfeed when I was pregnant with our first baby. I am currently breastfeeding our fourth baby and it’s a decision I have never regretted. I made this decision for several reasons.
Nutrition: If you’ve done any reading on this subject, you have heard that breast is best for the baby. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. It has the perfect balance of nutrients for the baby. The composition of the milk changes to meet the changing nutritional needs of your baby as she grows. No formula can do this.
Health Benefits for Baby: Breast milk provides immunological benefits to your baby. Through the breast milk, your baby receives antibodies to a wide range of illnesses. Breastfed babies have lower rates of ear infections, intestinal problems and respiratory illnesses. They also have a lower rate of asthma, allergies, food allergies and eczema later.
Convenience: I’ve never been able to understand why some people think formula feeding is easier than breastfeeding. After four babies, I still think it’s easier to breastfeed. The milk is always available, at the perfect temperature and there is no preparation needed. When you pack the diaper bag, you don’t need to prepare bottles or worry about keeping them at the right temperature, if you will be away from home for an extended period of time.
Running out to the store to buy formula, heating it, washing bottles, and getting up in the middle of the night to prepare bottles seems like a big hassle. Meanwhile, the baby is crying and waiting to be fed. It makes me tired to just think about it. When you breastfeed your baby, you can feed him in the comfort of your own bed. Baby can be fed quickly before he is completely awake. Both of you will get back to sleep faster.
Bonding: Breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby. This doesn’t mean that formula feeding moms won’t bond, but just that breastfeeding increases the bond. When you breastfeed your baby, the two of you spend more time in close physical contact. Skin to skin contact increases bonding. The time spent breastfeeding helps you learn to read your baby’s cues as well.
These are just some of my personal reasons for choosing to breastfeed my children. What are your reasons?
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