Breastfeeding Is a Brain Power Booster

Health and nutrition are key issues when it comes to having children and many new mums are faced with the breastfeeding conundrum: to breastfeed or not to breastfeed. Breast feeding is indeed one of the hottest topics surrounding parenthood.

Breastfeeding went out of style for a while, largely because career pressures made generic formula an easier option, but not because generic formulas are really better for babies (or mums for that matter). But breastfeeding has made a surging comeback as mums are discovering the endless health benefits associated with the practice. These include (but are not limited to):
 

• Breast milk fights diseases like diabetes, respiratory infections, cancer, cardiovascular disorders and gastrointestinal disorders. This occurs both during infancy and later in life, all the way into adulthood.

• Breast milk is easier for babies to digest than synthetic formula.

• Breast milk helps moms lose weight and protects them for osteoporosis and uterine and ovarian cancers.

• Breast milk strengthens the immune system, which is one of the main reasons why the risk of disease is mitigated.

• Breast milk helps against the development of various food and seasonal allergies.

In addition to the health benefits listed above, breastfeeding is also healthy for the mind. According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics in the United States, researchers found that babies who breastfeed score higher on cognitive competence tests than babies who feed from the bottle. Children who are breastfed are typically 1-6 months more advanced than their non-breastfed counterparts; this includes things like vocabulary development and pattern and image recognition.

Researchers attribute breast milk boosted brain power to the fatty acids that are present in the breast milk; these essential lipids help with cell and brain development in infants. Additionally, hormones that the body needs for growth and intellectual development are sorely lacking in formula but are abundant in breast milk. Synthetic formulas just are not able to mimic mother nature’s formula.

All parents want what is best for their kids, from the best schools to the best bills of health. The good news is that nature has given us all the tools needed for optimal baby (and mum) health right inside the body. While it is understandable that there are certain circumstances in which formula is necessary for some mums, breast milk still is the best way to go–so those us who can nurse definitely should!