9 Benefits of breastfeeding for a Mother

Breast milk is nature’s way of providing complete nutrition to the baby at the right time and right temperature each time. Breastfeeding has immense benefits – not only does it foster physical bonding between the mother and baby but also imparts great emotional satisfaction to the mother herself.

The hours and days following the birth of your baby, your body will go through tremendous physical changes. Soreness due to labor and birth, lochia or vaginal discharge, cramps due to shrinking of your uterus, perineal pain due to episiotomy, stitches, tears are part of postpartum recovery. Breastfeeding is nature’s gift not only for the new born baby but also for the new mother. It provides innumerable benefits for the mother in the postpartum period.

Apart from the immense sense of joy,  peace and emotional satisfaction that breastfeeding provides a mother, following are some of the other health benefits that help a new Mother to recover in the postpartum period. 

Benefits of breastfeeding for a Mother:

• Breastfeeding helps a new mother to recover easily and quickly from childbirth.  
• Every time a mother breastfeeds, the hormone oxytocin is released, which in turn helps shrink the uterus back to its normal size quickly in about 6 weeks as opposed to 10 weeks if you do not breastfeed.
• Breastfeeding may also reduce postpartum bleeding (Lochia).
• A new mother loses weight faster when she breastfeeds as each time she burns extra 200 to 500 calories. This is equal to swimming 30 laps or cycling uphill for an hour.
• Breast milk applied on sore nipples can help heal them faster.
• Additionally, breastfeeding may reduce the chances of ovarian and breast cancer later on in life. It may also reduce the risk of getting diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Breastfeeding helps in delaying the onset of menstrual period in turn acts as natural child spacing.
• Breastfeeding is simpler than preparing a bottle of formula. 
• It makes it easy for a new mother to travel with her baby without having to carry any feeding bottles, etc.

Breastfeeding even though is natural, it may not necessarily be easy. Do reach out to a Lactation consultant if you need help. Connect with other breastfeeding mothers to learn from their experience. 

Patience and perseverance will go a long way in establishing a successful breastfeeding relationship between a mother and baby. The benefits of which will be there for both mother and baby to reap!

To consult Seema Kazi Rangnekar in person, click here.

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