Why Breastfeeding Is Better for Babies

Statement: Is breastfeeding better for the mother’s body as well for the baby’s body?

Hypothesis: That breastfeeding is better then formula for the baby’s health and development. Also, breastfeeding helps the mother with losing postpartum weight and bonding with her new baby.

Results: Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth. (Williams, 1995) Mother’s milk contains many more ingredients not found in formula. Also, milk straight from the breast is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can lead to diarrhea and problems in infants. Nursing also has psychological benefits for the infant, creating an early attachment between mother and child. Sucking on the breast helps with strong jaw development. It is harder work to get milk out of the breast then a bottle. The exercise strengthens the jaw and encourages the growth of straight healthy teeth. Breastfeeding also promotes security and warmth and presence of the mother, which accrues during touching through the feeding. Bottle feed babies have less human contact. The overall benefit of breastfeeding for the baby helps their health, physical development, and bonding with their mother.

Breastfeeding is also beneficial for the mother as well. One of the most beneficial and motivating aspects of breasting for women is the fact that is helps with losing all that weight that was gained during pregnancy; nursing use up all those extra calories. Lactation also stimulates the uterus to contract back into its original size. Breastfeeding is also one of nature’s contraceptive, although not that effective. Nursing suppresses ovulation, thus making it harder for the mother to get pregnant again. Breastfeeding is also economical for the new parents. Formula is expensive and breast milk is free. The mother also doesn’t have to buy bottles and nipples. Saving time in the process, with not having to measure and fix formula. Other health benefits for the mother are breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. (Benefits of Breastfeeding, 2004) One last interesting result is that breastfeeding can help to decrease the worlds landfills of plastic waste compared to that of formula cans and bottle supplies.

Hypothesis: The hypothesis was proven through research. Through this research I was able to learn the health benefits of breastfeeding