Breasts: for more than just ogling.

On April 23rd, 2010, my brother Michael and his wife Melissa welcomed their baby girl, Sophia, to the world. At seven pounds five ounces, she was healthy and sporting a shock of reddish blonde hair. Words cannot express how excited our whole family is about this newest, tiny addition. With a new baby comes many new responsibilities and lessons in life that one cannot be prepared for until the baby is actually here. While I myself have never had children, I have had quite a bit of experience taking care of babies and young children and I've known, and been close with, many parents. The main concern of most of the parents? The health of their children. In this week's blog, I would like to discuss one way in which a parent, namely a mother, can greatly benefit her baby's health now and in the future.

Breastfeeding has, in the past, been something that is taboo in our culture. We never really talk about it and certain celebrities have even been scolded for breastfeeding in public. This is sad, in my opinion. Breastfeeding is a natural act that benefits both mother and child and should be viewed as such. It is not a "peep show" or "gross" or "weird" and I have heard it described as all of the above. Quite the contrary, you may be surprised to learn about all of the benefits of breastfeeding.

For one, breastfeeding does not only benefit the baby, breastfeeding also benefits the mother. According to this womenshealth.gov literature, breastfeeding can lower the risk of Postpartum depression and even certain cancers such as ovarian and breast cancer. Not only that, but breastfeeding allows a mother to take some quiet time with her newborn baby to bond and to relax together. Breastfeeding can also increase confidence in a woman and it can save up to $3000 dollars a year, depending on your formula brand!

There are also numerous benefits for babies who are breastfed. These facts state that breast milk provides the perfect amount of proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins that newborns must have to be healthy. Not only that, but information found here states that premature infants who received breast milk has greater mental development than those who were not. Also, infants who are fed breast milk are less likely to be re-hospitalized after discharge than those who are not. This is because breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight diseases and viruses. Breast milk is also the easiest food for a new born baby to digest, which is important for a baby's sensitive stomach.

Not only is breastfeeding good for mother and child, but also for our environment. With breastfeeding, there is little need for plastic waste from bottles and formula containers. Another benefit? Because breastfed babies are sick less, the mothers of these babies can miss less work. Also, because of breast pumps, a mother can store her breast milk to be fed to the baby later, so that even if the mother can't be around to breastfeed, her baby can still enjoy the healthy benefits of her breast milk. This also helps dads and partners get in on the act of feeding the baby, too.

In conclusion, the benefits of breastfeeding are numerous for mothers, babies, families and the environment. Breastfeeding is a natural, wonderful thing for a mother and her new baby to share and should be encouraged by all.