ARTICLE SUMMARY :
- Breastfeeding, a natural antidepressant
- Breastfeeding relaxes and boosts self-confidence
- Exclusive breastfeeding acts as a contraceptive
- To sleep better and go back to sleep, breastfeeding is the key
- Breastfeeding is also good for mom's health
- Milk fed or expressed = calories burned
- Breast milk saves you money
- Breastfeeding baby: benefits for life!
We all know that breast milk is without doubt the best food for feeding a baby in the first few months of life. What's less well known is that breastfeeding offers numerous benefits to mothers too. Zenitude, sleep, calories burned and a stronger filial bond are all positive points for those who want to breastfeed from the very first feed.
Breastfeeding, a natural antidepressant
Breastfeeding feels good. Despite the pain, despite the discomfort, despite the initial difficulties.
For example, breastfeeding could reduce a new mother'srisk of postnatal depression . During pregnancy, the intention to breastfeed and the fact of successfully fulfilling this wish would reduce the risk of depression by 42% in the two months following the birth of the child.
In France, around 10 to 20% of mothers are affected by post-partum depression every year. Hormones, a change in lifestyle, a lack of balance, fatigue or exhaustion, or isolation can be the causes. Beforehand, breastfeeding and appropriate support can contribute to the emotional well-being of every new mother.
Breastfeeding relaxes and boosts self-confidence
Putting your child to the breast and feeding him his own milk is an incomparable experience. Indeed, what more incredible miracle than that of breastfeeding?
Every mother knows the happiness of watching her child eat, enjoying a satisfying meal, whatever the child's age. And it's easy to imagine the pleasure increased tenfold by the sight of that tiny baby curled up against her breast.
From a physiological point of view, the oxytocin and endorphin secreted during feeds bring serenity and relaxation to the mother. All the more reason to enjoy the present moment to the full, and to boost her sense of self-satisfaction.
Exclusive breastfeeding acts as a contraceptive
When you're breastfeeding, your body naturally produces prolactin, a hormone stimulated by suckling and designed to promote the production of breast milk. But that's not its only role.
Prolactin prevents, or at least limits, ovulation. It therefore delays the return of menstruation (the famous never-awaited return of childbirth) and further postpones the risk of a new pregnancy. However, according to the WHO, the contraceptive effect of prolactin through breastfeeding requires a few precautions.
Breastfeeding must be exclusive and regular, at least every 6 hours at night and every 4 hours during the day, with 6 long feedings or 10 short ones to obtain sufficient hormonal stimulation. The mother must not have returned from childbirth.
This method is called MaMa : Méthode de l'Allaitement Maternel et de l'Aménorrhée. Validated in 1988 by the Bellagio Consensus, then confirmed in 1995 by new studies carried out across Europe, the Consensus states that "exclusive breastfeeding prevents more than 98% of pregnancies during the first six months." This period of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) can therefore be considered as a period of natural infertility.
Breastfeeding from day one also reduces the risk of post-partum hemorrhage, by promoting placental expulsion and uterine retraction.
To sleep better and go back to sleep, breastfeeding is the key
Once again, it's a question of well-being and relaxation hormones. Theoxytocin released during feeds also plays a part in the quality of your nights and those of your baby at , helping you to relax and fall asleep more quickly. This is a considerable advantage when two, three or four feeds are splitting your sleep for several months at a time.
What's more, breastfeeding allows you to feed your baby from your bed without depriving yourself of its warmth and comfort. A combo that's all the more successful if your partner devotes himself to fetching baby from his crib.
Breastfeeding is also good for mom's health
Each additional month of breastfeeding is a positive factor for the health of mothers.
Breastfeeding hasantidepressant effects thanks to the hormones released in the body, such as oxytocin, which is present at very high levels.
Also thanks to hormones, the risk of developing diabetes is reduced in breastfeeding mothers, throughout their lives.
Similarly, breastfeeding may offer some protection against heart disease and cardiovascular disease. protection against heart disease and cardiovascular disorders. This is thanks in particular to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and a correspondingly reduced risk of diabetes.
Prolonged breastfeeding, i.e. for at least 6 months, could have apositive impact on the reduction of breast, ovarian or uterinecancers in women. Several studies indicate that the longer the period of breastfeeding - whether for a single child or several children - the greater the protective effect.
Finally, oxytocin, too, promotes bone remineralization after pregnancy and childbirth, and prevents the onset of osteoporosis at menopause.
Milk fed or expressed = calories burned
It's no myth: breastfeeding your baby can help you burn up to 500 calories a day - the equivalent of an hour's cycling. Not bad, eh? Of course, you'll need to add a dash of patience, adjust your post-partum diet and perhaps take baby for long walks, but there's no doubt that breastfeeding will help you regain your pre-pregnancy figure.
Breast milk saves you money
Breastfeeding your child cansave you hundreds of euros on milk powder in the first year alone.
No artificial milk if you breastfeed exclusively, but even less if you practice mixed breastfeeding. You won't need to buy a bottle either. Nevertheless, if you fall for the bibROND with its round body, you should know that it's the ideal bottle for sharing your breastfeeding or for gently weaning your child.
Breastfeeding baby: benefits for life!
If you're breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed your baby, this is the good news to remember. The benefits of breastfeeding never stop and continue for the rest of your life!
Less stress, better sleep, reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, and even benefits during menopause- breastfeeding has it all.
While breastfeeding is the most natural and instinctive way to nourish your child, it's important to remember that whether or not to breastfeed your baby is a personal choice that shouldn't be open to discussion, but rather a matter of personal conviction.
