The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Breastfeeding
The Academy of American Pediatricians (AAP), the Association of American Doctors (AMA), the American Nutrition Society (ADA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend breast milk as the best feeding option for babies. The main reasons are the supportive effect against infections, the preventive effect against allergies and the protection against chronic diseases. Even so, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of breastfeeding .
Every coin has two sides. Therefore, it is only right and important that we take a closer look at the pros and cons of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is good for your baby
Breast milk has many positive effects for your baby. It is clearly recommended and is essential for your baby’s health.
The many benefits of breastfeeding include the following:
- It is the best option from a nutritional point of view. Some experts believe that breast milk is the best way to get nutrients in.
- It helps fight infections and other diseases. Babies who are breastfed are less prone to infection because breast milk strengthens the baby’s immune system. This also helps to reduce infections such as ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory diseases or meningitis.
- Breast milk is very nutritious and aids digestion. Breast-fed babies have fewer digestive problems. Breast milk also contains many vitamins and minerals that a newborn needs.
- Breast milk tastes different. Because we also eat differently, our milk also takes on different tastes. In this way, the baby gets to know different flavors at an early age.
- Some studies suggest that babies who have been breastfed are smarter. They have slightly higher intellectual outcomes than babies fed substitute milk.
- Breastfeeding is also good for the mother. When a mother breastfeeds she burns calories, makes her feel more confident and, according to some studies, also has a lower risk of breast cancer.
- Breastfeeding is very good for the bond between mother and child. Some mothers say that close physical contact creates a special kind of bond with their little one.
Pros cons of breastfeeding
There are advantages and disadvantages to breastfeeding. After many advantages, here are a few disadvantages:
- It can be painful and uncomfortable. It can be uncomfortable, especially at first, because the mother feels some pain while the baby is pulling. However, this should not last longer than a minute with each breastfeeding. If you experience constant pain that doesn’t go away, it could be an infection.
- Mothers who are breastfeeding need to watch their diet. For example, breastfeeding mothers should not eat fish, which can be high in mercury.
- Breastfeeding means less flexibility. If you are unable to breastfeed your baby, you can, for example, give your partner a bottle of breast milk. Then that’s no problem.
- You are asked more often when breastfeeding. The reason is that mixed milk is harder to digest and babies stay full longer. A baby that is breastfed therefore asks for the breast more often.
- Mothers need to be concerned about their diet when breastfeeding. This pressure is of course not there when you give the bottle. Then you can also enjoy your glass of wine earlier.
Pros and cons of breastfeeding – some recommendations:
- Mothers are advised to breastfeed until the baby is one year old. But that can also be longer.
- Replacement milk is a healthy alternative. It also provides the baby with the nutrients it needs for its development.
- You have to make your own decision and it is very personal. This is why it is important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding.
We would like to emphasize once again that you are making this decision. It is important that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding and that you make your decision with the will to do what is best for your child.
