It’s been decided long before giving birth to Clarisse that I will breastfeed her for at least one year. My eldest sister was a big influence in my decision. She told me that she can see the difference in general well-being between bottle-fed and breastfed children. Her daughter was breastfed for only for 2 months, whereas her son was breastfed for up to 2 years. She told me her daughter easily fall sick, unlike his son who appears to have a stronger immune system.

From what I heard so far, I really do believe breastmilk is the best milk for my baby. First of all, baby could consume colostrum from the mother’s milk produced during the first few days after giving birth. Colostrum is essential for newborns because it is high in carbohydrates, high in protein, high in antibodies, and low in fat. It is by far the most beneficial nutrition your baby could get.

Besides that, breastfeed giving tons of other benefits both to infants and mothers.

Benefits to infant . . .

• Breast milk contain the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients and antibodies.
• Better digestibility for baby, therefore breasfed babies may be less likely to suffer from colic, gas and execessive spitting up. Personally, this is one of the reasons I totally avoided formula for Clarisse. She suffered from colic when she was 2 months old. Her colic gradually improved by the 4 month.
• Breast milk have less sodium and protein. That can put less stress on the fledging kidneys of the newborn.
• Baby have better absorption of calcium.
• Can individualized your baby’s need. Breast milk changes constantly to meet a baby’s ever changing-needs.
• No worries that your baby will be over weight. Generally, babies who feed on formula are bigger and chubbier. Doesn’t necessary mean they’re stronger and healthier though.
• Breastfed babies usually have less risk of allergy.
• Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development.
• Improve bonding and emotional relationship between the baby and their mothers.
• Baby can have breast milk in anytime anywhere.

I might have only touched the surface of all the benefits of breast milk for babies. Now here’s the good stuff that is beneficial to mothers too.

Benefits to mother . . .

• Breastfeeding your baby can help you recover quickly. It helps your uterus shrink back to it’s size before you were pregnant.
• While breastfeeding, chances of conceiving it low because ovulation and menstruation are suppressed in most lactating women. This may or may not be good news to you but I’ve been adviced to wait at least a year before conceiving again so it’s sound good to me.
• Possibly a reduction in the risk of breast, ovarian and cervix cancer.
• Less complicated night time feeding. You don’t have to prepapre your milk by going far off in the kitchen refrigerator or needing to be warmed and poured into a bottle.
• Helps you get back into shape faster. Mothers who breastfeed tends to lose weight easily.
• No matter how busy a mother is, she must sit down, put her feet up,and relax every few hours to nurse. Therefore, look at it as a good excuse for nursing mothers to get needed rest.
• Last but not least, you definately save a lot of money without having to buy formula for your baby.

I remember the first time I breastfed Clarisse was 2 hours after she was born. I felt so desperate because she just couldn’t latch on to my nipple and she was crying out loud in hunger. After trying for a few times, I was able to adjust my feeding position to make it easier for my baby to suck. The feeling of holding your baby while she’s sucking your milk is one of the most intimate moments you’ll with your baby.