Benefits of Breastfeeding

As the most natural source of nutrients and protection to the babies, breastfeeding is good not only to the baby, but also to the mother, to the society and to the environment.

Why do you need a Breast Pump?

The oldest known written sources mentioning breastfeeding come from the Near East and date back to 3000 BC. The necessity of breastfeeding was imposed on women since the oldest times.

Benefits for babies
  1. Breastfed babies are healthier
  2. In the first few days after birth, your body produces a colostrum: it is an easily digestible liquid and is full of disease-fighting antibodies called immunoglobulins that strengthen your baby’s immune system.
  3. Enhances brain development: there are specific ingredients in breastmilk which have been proven to be beneficial for brain and sight development.
  4. Benefits on your child’s development:
  5. Research shows that breastfeeding has a lifelong impact on your child’s health and development:
  • Helps the immune system mature Reduces gastrointestinal illness by up to 82% and respiratory illness by up to 30%
  • Protects against chronic diseases
  • Lowers the risk of developing allergic disease
  • Lowers the risk/delays of early onset obesity by up to 35% & diabetes by up to 40%
  • Reduces the risk of ear infections by up to 300% , lymphoma by up to 800% and - Sudden Infant  Death Syndrome (SIDS) by up to 500 %
Benefits for mothers
  1. Health benefits: Lower the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, postpartum anxiety and depression
  2. Faster return to pre-pregnancy weight: Feeding your baby breastmilk can help you burn through over 500 calories per day
  3. Strong bonding between mother and infant
  4. Lower household expenditures by avoiding the high cost of formula milk
Benefits for Society

Breastfeeding is important to health of both mothers and babies. Studies in many developed countries show that high breastfeeding rate would lower public medical expenses. Parents of healthier babies would take less leave due to health problem of their child, and thus enhance efficiency and productivity at work.

Benefits for Environment

Without costing extra energy and producing any wastes, breastfeeding is the most environmental-friendly way of infant feeding. In a contrary, dairy industry consumes massive amount of energy to raise milk cows, and produces large amount of warm-house gases; preparation of formula milk consumes energy and clean water; production of bottles, teats, cans produce massive amount of non-degradable solid wastes.

Medela's breast pumps