It is without a doubt that breast milk is the best food for all babies. Therefore, whether to breastfeed or formula-feed is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions for new parents.
Why breastfeed?
Breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is when you feed your baby directly from your breast. It is the most natural and ideal approach to nourish your baby because breast milk is rich in nutrients and immunity-boosting antibodies that are essential for their health, growth, and development. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. After that, mothers can decide if they want to continue breastfeeding their babies while offering solid foods until their babies turn two or as long as desired.
Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for both you and your baby. Read on to find out more about the benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby.
Benefits for your baby
It is the ultimate nutritional food for your baby.
The first few days after giving birth, your breasts will start to produce the “first milk” called colostrum. Colostrum is also commonly known as liquid gold due to its deep yellow colour and how precious it is. Occasionally it can also be white or translucent in colour, but whatever the colour, colostrum is just like a superfood that is tailor-made for your newborn. Highly nutritious, it is enough to fill your baby’s tiny belly that is only about the size of a marble. It is literally liquid gold because it provides your newborn with immunity against viruses and bacteria.
As you continue to breastfeed, your breast milk will adapt by changing its composition in response to your baby’s daily growth and nutritional needs at each stage of development. Breast milk is the ultimate nutritional food for your baby as it contains the optimal ratio of fat, sugar, water, vitamins, and protein. In fact, breast milk is such a dynamic and complex substance that no baby formula on the market has successfully developed one that is nutritionally similar to breast milk.
Easier to Digest
Breast milk is far easier to digest and more gentle for their tiny little tummies than baby formula. This is because the proteins in cow’s milk and soy milk formulas have too many proteins and minerals for your baby’s kidneys to handle. Moreover, milk formulas do not have the right amount of nutrients your baby needs. It can also induce an allergic reaction in some, such as stomach discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.
Other health benefits for baby
Breastfed infants have a lower risk of viral infection, gastroenteritis, ear infections, and respiratory infections. Breastfeeding can also help reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and various other ailments later in life, including asthma, allergy disorders, leukaemia, diabetes, and obesity. Nursing also promotes your baby’s oral development due to the sucking and pausing patterns associated with breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding also increases the chances of skin-to-skin contact as babies thrive on physical contact. Not only will breastfeeding allow more bonding time, but you will also be creating a more secure and loving atmosphere for your baby, exchanging looks to cuddles and expressing affection with one another.
Benefits for the mom
Physical and emotional recovery
Breastfeeding advantages are not just limited to your baby alone; you benefit too. Breastfeeding has been helping new mothers recover from childbirth for generations. First of all, let’s talk about how quickly you can lose the baby weight because breastfeeding women burn extra calories to produce milk.
You will also recover faster because nursing prompts the uterus to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size, minimising post-delivery blood loss. Breastfeeding can also be a soothing experience for mum because when you breastfeed, your body releases oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that promotes relaxation and bonding.
Life-long health benefits for mom
Moms who breastfeed also have a lower risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. You will also have a reduced rate of endometriosis, osteoporosis with age, diabetes and hypertension. In addition, breastfeeding can reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease and lower the risk of postpartum depression.
It’s money-saving!
Breastfeeding is essentially free. Even if you splurge on an electronic pump and give milk to your infant that way, you’ll still save a lot of money on formula. Breastfed newborns are also less likely to become ill, resulting in fewer visits to the doctor and cheaper medical costs for your baby.
How much and how often should you feed your baby breast milk?
There is no right set amount when it comes to how much or how often a mom should breastfeed because mothers feed on demand. As long as your baby meets weight milestones at every doctor’s visit, you can trust that your body will produce enough for your baby’s needs.
Still, every baby is different and unique. Some prefer smaller frequent feeds, while others may indulge in longer feedings. Typically a newborn would feed every 8 to 12 times a day, which works out to be a feed every 2-3 hours. By two months, most newborns are feeding every 3-4 hours, and by six months, most babies are feeding every 4-5 hours with the introduction of solids. However, this is just a rough gauge, and moms should always watch out for hunger cues from their babies.
Even after starting solids, moms should continue to offer breast milk until their babies are at least 12 months old. After that, it is all down to personal preferences. By one, your child will get most of their nutrition from solid food but can still benefit from your breast milk by getting continued protection against infections in their toddler years.
Struggle with breastfeeding is normal
It is completely okay if you’re struggling to breastfeed because this is normal, and you are not alone. Many other moms face similar problems. While breastfeeding may seem like the most natural thing to do, it is not always easy. Common breastfeeding challenges include latching problems, mastitis, sore and cracked nipples, but the biggest fear is not producing enough breast milk to feed your baby.
At times, moms may experience depleted milk production, which might interfere with breastfeeding. There are ways to combat this by increasing the frequency of breastfeeding, hand expressing and consuming milk boosters such as lactation cookies.
HAPIMOMS® Lactation Cookies are made with traditional ingredients that include galactagogues such as fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, and brewer’s yeast, which are known to effectively assist in increasing milk production.
HAPIMOMS® Lactation Cookies come in three classic flavours: Mixed Berries, Chocolate Chip, and Brownie. They are also packaged in individual sachets, ideal for on-the-go consumption, especially for busy mothers.
There is no shame if you are unable to breastfeed due to physical, medical or even personal reasons. New moms need to realise that their ability to breastfeed is not a measure of their maternal abilities. If you are facing problems breastfeeding, your doctor, midwife, or lactation specialist can provide support and advice to help you towards a more positive breastfeeding experience.
Take Away
Remember that choosing to breastfeed and how you want to feed your baby breastmilk is a personal choice. Lactation cookies, such as the HAPIMOMS® Lactation Cookies, can help to boost your breast milk supply if you’re having trouble producing enough milk for breastfeeding.
While most people would say that breastfeeding is the ideal way to nourish your new baby, remember that “fed is best” because a thriving baby is a baby that is fed.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom and Baby
It is without a doubt that breast milk is the best food for all babies. Therefore, whether to breastfeed or formula-feed is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions for new parents.
Why breastfeed?
Breastfeeding, also known as nursing, is when you feed your baby directly from your breast. It is the most natural and ideal approach to nourish your baby because breast milk is rich in nutrients and immunity-boosting antibodies that are essential for their health, growth, and development. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. After that, mothers can decide if they want to continue breastfeeding their babies while offering solid foods until their babies turn two or as long as desired.
Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for both you and your baby. Read on to find out more about the benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby.
Benefits for your baby
It is the ultimate nutritional food for your baby.
The first few days after giving birth, your breasts will start to produce the “first milk” called colostrum. Colostrum is also commonly known as liquid gold due to its deep yellow colour and how precious it is. Occasionally it can also be white or translucent in colour, but whatever the colour, colostrum is just like a superfood that is tailor-made for your newborn. Highly nutritious, it is enough to fill your baby’s tiny belly that is only about the size of a marble. It is literally liquid gold because it provides your newborn with immunity against viruses and bacteria.
As you continue to breastfeed, your breast milk will adapt by changing its composition in response to your baby’s daily growth and nutritional needs at each stage of development. Breast milk is the ultimate nutritional food for your baby as it contains the optimal ratio of fat, sugar, water, vitamins, and protein. In fact, breast milk is such a dynamic and complex substance that no baby formula on the market has successfully developed one that is nutritionally similar to breast milk.
Easier to Digest
Breast milk is far easier to digest and more gentle for their tiny little tummies than baby formula. This is because the proteins in cow’s milk and soy milk formulas have too many proteins and minerals for your baby’s kidneys to handle. Moreover, milk formulas do not have the right amount of nutrients your baby needs. It can also induce an allergic reaction in some, such as stomach discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.
Other health benefits for baby
Breastfed infants have a lower risk of viral infection, gastroenteritis, ear infections, and respiratory infections. Breastfeeding can also help reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and various other ailments later in life, including asthma, allergy disorders, leukaemia, diabetes, and obesity. Nursing also promotes your baby’s oral development due to the sucking and pausing patterns associated with breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding also increases the chances of skin-to-skin contact as babies thrive on physical contact. Not only will breastfeeding allow more bonding time, but you will also be creating a more secure and loving atmosphere for your baby, exchanging looks to cuddles and expressing affection with one another.
Benefits for the mom
Physical and emotional recovery
Breastfeeding advantages are not just limited to your baby alone; you benefit too. Breastfeeding has been helping new mothers recover from childbirth for generations. First of all, let’s talk about how quickly you can lose the baby weight because breastfeeding women burn extra calories to produce milk.
You will also recover faster because nursing prompts the uterus to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size, minimising post-delivery blood loss. Breastfeeding can also be a soothing experience for mum because when you breastfeed, your body releases oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that promotes relaxation and bonding.
Life-long health benefits for mom
Moms who breastfeed also have a lower risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. You will also have a reduced rate of endometriosis, osteoporosis with age, diabetes and hypertension. In addition, breastfeeding can reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease and lower the risk of postpartum depression.
It’s money-saving!
Breastfeeding is essentially free. Even if you splurge on an electronic pump and give milk to your infant that way, you’ll still save a lot of money on formula. Breastfed newborns are also less likely to become ill, resulting in fewer visits to the doctor and cheaper medical costs for your baby.
How much and how often should you feed your baby breast milk?
There is no right set amount when it comes to how much or how often a mom should breastfeed because mothers feed on demand. As long as your baby meets weight milestones at every doctor’s visit, you can trust that your body will produce enough for your baby’s needs.
Still, every baby is different and unique. Some prefer smaller frequent feeds, while others may indulge in longer feedings. Typically a newborn would feed every 8 to 12 times a day, which works out to be a feed every 2-3 hours. By two months, most newborns are feeding every 3-4 hours, and by six months, most babies are feeding every 4-5 hours with the introduction of solids. However, this is just a rough gauge, and moms should always watch out for hunger cues from their babies.
Even after starting solids, moms should continue to offer breast milk until their babies are at least 12 months old. After that, it is all down to personal preferences. By one, your child will get most of their nutrition from solid food but can still benefit from your breast milk by getting continued protection against infections in their toddler years.
Struggle with breastfeeding is normal
It is completely okay if you’re struggling to breastfeed because this is normal, and you are not alone. Many other moms face similar problems. While breastfeeding may seem like the most natural thing to do, it is not always easy. Common breastfeeding challenges include latching problems, mastitis, sore and cracked nipples, but the biggest fear is not producing enough breast milk to feed your baby.
At times, moms may experience depleted milk production, which might interfere with breastfeeding. There are ways to combat this by increasing the frequency of breastfeeding, hand expressing and consuming milk boosters such as lactation cookies.
HAPIMOMS® Lactation Cookies are made with traditional ingredients that include galactagogues such as fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, and brewer’s yeast, which are known to effectively assist in increasing milk production.
HAPIMOMS® Lactation Cookies come in three classic flavours: Mixed Berries, Chocolate Chip, and Brownie. They are also packaged in individual sachets, ideal for on-the-go consumption, especially for busy mothers.
There is no shame if you are unable to breastfeed due to physical, medical or even personal reasons. New moms need to realise that their ability to breastfeed is not a measure of their maternal abilities. If you are facing problems breastfeeding, your doctor, midwife, or lactation specialist can provide support and advice to help you towards a more positive breastfeeding experience.
Take Away
Remember that choosing to breastfeed and how you want to feed your baby breastmilk is a personal choice. Lactation cookies, such as the HAPIMOMS® Lactation Cookies, can help to boost your breast milk supply if you’re having trouble producing enough milk for breastfeeding.
While most people would say that breastfeeding is the ideal way to nourish your new baby, remember that “fed is best” because a thriving baby is a baby that is fed.
