Why should you breastfeed your baby? Health risk of not breastfeeding Breastfeeding benefit for baby Healthy diet while breastfeeding Breastfeeding benefit for mom Breastfeeding help new moms fight depression Can I continue breastfeeding once I return to work? How can I successfully manage pumping at work? How can I keep my breast from leaking at work? How often I should pump and store it at work? Business Options for Moms

It is better to breastfeed for 6 month and best to breastfeed for 24 month, or for as long as you and your baby wish

Breastfeeding, there are many benefits of it. Even if you are able to do it for only a short time, your baby's immune system can benefit from breast milk. For information about the risk when you are not breastfeed your baby please read our article Health Risks of Not Breastfeeding Here are many other benefits of breast milk for a mother, her baby, and others:

BENEFITS FOR BABY:

Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Composition of breast milk changes overtime to adapt to a growing baby’s needs. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.

As a result, breastfed infants grow exactly the way they should. They tend to gain less unnecessary weight and to be leaner. This may result in being less overweight later in life. Breastfed babies regulate their own feedings from the beginning, which helps them to develop healthier eating patterns as they grow and develop.

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BENEFITS FOR MOM:

Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy. Breastfeeding and milk production burns an additional 500 calories each day. For more information on the body weight while breastfeeding please read our article Healthy Diet while Breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding also helps the uterus to get back to its original size. Release of the hormone oxytocin during breastfeeding encourages uterine contractions that shrink the uterus. It also lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.

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BENEFITS FOR SOCIETY:

Breastfeeding saves on health care costs. Total medical care costs for the nation are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants since breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.

Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce. Breastfeeding mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less often. Employer medical costs also are lower and employee productivity is higher.

Milk will not stain. Inevitably some spillage will occur while feeding an infant, breast milk doesn’t leave stains on clothing or other fabrics unlike formula.