All Women Should Try to Breastfeed Their Babies

Eden Jumper

November 20, 2007

Thomas Treffinger

ENG101-041

All Women Should Try to Breastfeed their Babies

Can someone really disagree with something they know nothing about? Breastfeeding is among one of those "somethings" people usually disagree with for just moral reasons. Many people do not know how much healthier breast milk is for their baby and everyone should be educated on the benefits. In truth, breast feeding contains many physical and emotional benefits for babies and mothers alike, and even benefit's society so all women should at least try to breast feed their babies.

Breast milk is naturally made and was meant to be put into a baby's body. When a baby is breast fed, the milk is just right so that the baby does not become over, or under weight. It contains just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a babies development and growth. Also because of breast milk's components, lactose, protein, whey, casein, and fat it is clinically proven to be perfect for a baby's digestive system helping reduce colic and stimulate regularity (Homeier). Breast milk also keeps a baby healthy. Breast milk contains antibodies to help build up a baby's immune system. Breastfed babies attend less frequent doctors visits and usually don't get as sick as formula fed babies because of these antibodies. Babies who are breast fed tend to develop quicker and have a higher I.Q. later in life due to powerful immune building properties. (U.S. breastfeeding committee).

Did you know that a baby can have health problems from not being breastfed? Many people probably don't believe that but the facts are clear. "When compared with formula-fed children the breastfed children have fewer symptoms and shorter illnesses when sick" (U.S. Breastfeeding committee). Most breastfed children are less likely to have ear infections, diarrhea, and meningitis. Along with not getting as sick as often, breastfeeding is also known to prevent many life-threatening diseases. Children who are not breastfed are at higher risk for the diseases such as; Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Crohn's disease, childhood leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, diabetes, eczema, and other allergic reactions (U.S Breastfeeding committee). Also a mother's breast milk contains endorphins, chemicals to suppress pain. Which means when a baby gets their vaccinations they don't feel as sick (Banawa). When a baby latches onto its mother's breast, its dental health is also benefiting. "Babies drinking from the human breast have to use as much as 60 times more energy to get food than do those drinking from a bottle. Apparently, this constant gentle pulling assists the growth of well-formed jaws and straight, healthy teeth. Among breastfed infants, the longer the duration of nursing, the less chance of dental malocclusion." (Burby)

Not only is breastfeeding a benefit for the baby, the mother also receives equal benefits. When a mother breast feeds her baby, a lot of emotional stress is lifted off her shoulders. Money is usually a huge problem that occurs right after a baby is born but since the breast milk prevents many sicknesses, there wont be as many doctors bills. Also formula has the possibility of costing about 1200 dollars each year, which can be a troublesome fund (Burby). Breastfeeding is genuinely and is always on tap so there is no worrying about if the baby will have food or how much it will cost. The only real costs is perhaps a breast milk pump and nursing pads and bras which is a minute cost against formula. Also when a baby wakes up in the middle of the night, usually a mother or father will have to get up, measure out the formula, heat up the bottle, and then finally get to feed the baby: but when the mother chooses to breast feed the baby all she has to do is take out her breast. A mothers milk is already sterile with no chances of contamination and is at the right exact temperature. The process is much easier and quicker and allows the whole family to get back to sleep in a short time and usually helps ease stress from the insomnia that can sometime occur because of the infants sleeping patterns (Burby).

All mothers and their babies are under a decent amount of stress after childbirth. The skin-to-skin contact when breastfeeding offers stress relief to the mother as well as baby. When that touch happens the baby feels secure by the warmth of the mother's skin and as it lays against the mother an important mommy-baby bond is also formed. Breastfeeding also helps aid to a mother's stress in other ways. When breastfeeding a mother's body produces prolactin and oxytocin, two hormones known as the "mothering hormones". These two hormones help the mother feel relaxed, loving, and calm; making her ready for the day with her baby.

Would you believe that breastfeeding is just as beneficial to the mothers physical well-being as a baby's? Believe it or not, the process of breastfeeding does make the mother healthier. Women who breastfeed are less susceptible to many health issues such as; breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and