Benefits for the child:
- it is the natural food for your baby, therefore usually the most digestible and accepted (in fact, it may happen that some types of artificial milk may not be liked by all the children);
- it nourishes the baby completely (your mother's brain, through biochemical signals sent by the baby himself in the act of sucking, modifies the composition of your milk to respond to the baby's needs, adapted to his growth);
- no other food or drink is needed until six months old. Breastfeeding helps the baby to grow and develop physiologically and maintains its value over time;
- it protects him from many diseases and infections which are more frequent in babies fed with artificial formulas because through your milk, mum, you also pass your antibodies to him and you help him build up his immune defence;
- it is always ready and at the right temperature;
- your baby also recognises your presence by its scent, feeling closer to you.
Benefits for you mom:
- helps to lose weight accumulated during pregnancy;
- reduces the risk of postpartum bleeding;
- reduces the risk of anaemia;
- reduces the risk of some forms of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer;
- reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease;
- it's free;
- the child hardly rejects it as he recognises the taste/smell that enveloped him in the amniotic sac;
- it is practical: always ready, without the need to sterilise or clean and at the right temperature (so you don’t need to be worried that it’s too hot or cold);
- it becomes a very intense and intimate cuddle;
- you don't have to worry about the quantity because, once the child has started and understands how to do it, he regulates himself.
If you are encountering difficulties of any kind, and even if you have already started giving your baby artificial formula, you could try to restore serene breastfeeding by asking for help from an expert or a competent healthcare professional.
Remember: breastfeeding doesn't have to hurt! It must be a pleasant moment of togetherness for you and your baby [learn more about feeling pain during breastfeeding].