We all know that breastfeeding is the healthiest thing you can do for your newborn baby. These days, all expectant mothers are made aware of the fact that pediatricians and even the World Health Organization recommend that babies be breastfed only for their first six months. Most of us know that it’s good for us and the baby emotionally as well as physically. But here are some benefits of breastfeeding that you may not have been aware of:

• Breast milk can help baby girls avoid breast cancer later in life. Studies show that women who were breast fed as babies have a full 25% lower chance of ever having breast cancer than women who were formula fed as babies.
• Breastfeeding your baby reduces your risk of contracting uterine and breast cancers.
• Breastfeeding reduces your risk of contracting osteoporosis. Breastfeeding your baby now can actually lead to stronger bones down the line.
• Breastfed children are less likely to develop Crohn’s disease when they get older. Crohn’s is a digestive disorder which is often quite painful and limits what kinds of food sufferers can eat.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to have rheumatism (arthritis) later in life. Breastfeeding your baby today may still be benefiting her when she has grandchildren herself.
• Children who were formula fed are almost six times more likely to deal with obesity by the time they are teenagers than children who were breastfed.
• Once baby starts getting teeth, your breast milk can help prevent tooth decay. Believe it or not, your breast milk actually contains elements which fight the bacteria which leads to tooth decay.
• Children who were breastfed are less likely to need braces or orthodontic surgery later in life. This is because breastfeeding helps the teeth to come in the way they are supposed to.

Without a doubt, there are many benefits to breastfeeding your baby. These include health benefits to the mother and the child, as well as significant emotional and bonding benefits. When you add in the significant cost savings, both in terms of the formula itself and the many other items you won’t need to buy if you breast feed your baby exclusively, such as bottles and nipples.

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