Breastfeeding is one of the oldest and most natural forms of child nourishment. It has long been touted as a way to strengthen the bond between mother and child, as well as providing numerous nutritional and health benefits. In recent years, however, the benefits of breastfeeding have become more widely acknowledged and applauded. Here, we’ll discuss the positive benefits of breast for both baby and mother.

The primary benefit for babies that breast milk provides is nutrition. Mother’s milk is easier to digest than formula, and has been shown to contain all the necessary nutrients a growing baby needs. Breast milk also helps to protect babies from a number of illnesses and infections that they may otherwise be vulnerable to. Because it contains so many immunological properties, breast milk helps to build immunity in babies, making them better able to fight infection and illness. Breastfed babies also are less likely to suffer from diarrhea, ear infections, and respiratory problems than formula fed babies.

In addition to nutrition, breastfeeding provides an important source of emotional security and comfort for the baby. Skin-to-skin contact during feeding can provide the baby with comforting sensory stimulation during feeding. A wealth of hormones and neurotransmitters are released into the mother’s milk while the baby suckles, which provide calming effects and provide the developing baby with a sense of security and wellbeing.

On the mother’s side, breastfeeding can help to strengthen her emotional and physical connection to her baby. The hormones released during breastfeeding can also provide beneficial effects for the post-partum mother, including improved mood, decreased anxiety, and a sense of stability and calm. Breastfeeding also helps to reduce the risks of breast and ovarian cancer later on in a woman’s life, and can even help to lose baby weight gained during pregnancy!

Overall, the positive benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby are many and unmistakable. It is an incredibly fulfilling and empowering way to nourish a newborn, and can contribute positively in a variety of ways throughout the entire span of life.