What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding: benefits for your baby

• The nutrients contained in breast milk are ideally tailored to the needs and digestive abilities of your baby.
• Breast milk contains important antibodies , so-called immunoglobulins, which you as a mother pass on to your child. One of the biggest advantages of breastfeeding is that it protects your baby against allergies and infectious diseases.
• Breast milk is at the right temperature and is always adapted to the needs of your baby .
• The sucking action of breastfeeding provides benefits for the development of tongue, palate and facial muscles .
• Breastfeeding also makes you smart: on average, breastfed children have an IQ that is three points higher. The reason for this is the long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) in breast milk.
• The iron it also contains supports the formation of many neurotransmitters and is therefore also important for the mental development of your baby.
• Another advantage of breastfeeding is that your baby can enjoy the closeness to you and thus the security and thus build a very close and intensive bond with you.

Breastfeeding: advantages for you

Breastfeeding has many advantages for you. It’s practical, doesn’t cost anything and after a bit of practice it’s very easy to use. By breastfeeding you also reduce the risk of breast cancer and promote the recovery processes after birth. Sucking releases the hormone oxytocin, which promotes postpartum contractions and thus the involution of the uterus.

Respect the decision not to breastfeed

Despite the many benefits of breastfeeding, according to our survey, there is a non-negligible number of mothers who have not breastfed their child. The reasons for this varied: 40 percent of the mothers who did not breastfeed could not or were not allowed to. Just as many, also 40 percent, did not want to breastfeed.

The reason why you don’t breastfeed your baby usually only plays a minor role when outsiders judge your own decision. 46 percent of the mothers surveyed who have not breastfed said that they were very often confronted with accusations and insinuations. Most people didn’t even bother to ask why, but made their judgment right away:

“A lot of people assume you just don’t want to breastfeed and call you selfish for not giving your child the best they can get.”

“It’s easy to be labeled a bad mom when people find out you’re not breastfeeding.”

“I was accused of not being sufficiently informed and not given good enough advice, otherwise breastfeeding would have worked.”

This is particularly painful when you really want to breastfeed but just can’t. Many mothers therefore expressed the desire for more information and for the elimination of prejudices against non-breastfeeding mothers.

If you don’t want to or can’t breastfeed

Maybe you can’t breastfeed either or it doesn’t work out that well? The most important prerequisite for successful breastfeeding is that you feel good about it. Half-hearted breastfeeding attempts are usually doomed to failure. If you don’t get used to breastfeeding despite the many benefits, it’s easier to stop lactation before milk comes in. You should therefore consider early on whether breastfeeding is an option for you or not. In any case, seek the advice of your midwife.

You will find many tips for mothers who cannot or do not want to breastfeed in our special “ Everything about bottles ”.