There are so many benefits that come from breastfeeding, and I am sure it seems like we’ve heard them all. Before I was a breastfeeding mom, I knew the basics and was excited about feeding my baby breastmilk, but my biggest motivation was the money savings. As my journey has continued as a breastfeeding mom and with becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor, I have learned how beneficial breastmilk truly is. I wanted to share some more of the uncommonly known benefits. Here are 5 Really Cool Breastfeeding Facts:
- Breastmilk boosts a baby’s immune system big time—when a baby eats at the breast, mama’s body absorbs baby’s saliva and starts making antibodies to fight any illness or infection present. Even if you exclusively pump, your body still responds to any germs that may be in the air.
- Breastfeeding for at least 12 months reduces mama’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. The longer she breastfeeds, the higher the benefit. Get this—breastfeeding a baby girl actually reduces her lifetime risk of breast cancer by 25%.
- Producing breastmilk consumes 25-30% of the body’s energy; the brain only uses 20% by comparison.
- On average, babies remove 67% of the breastmilk mama has available—baby eats until they are full, a breast is never truly empty
- A mother’s breast can detect even a one-degree fluctuation in a baby’s body temperature and adjust accordingly to heat up or cool down baby as needed.
Did you learn anything new?? I’d love to hear what you think so comment, and let me know!
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I needed a refresher on a couple of them. Thanks!