high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Psychological Benefits:

1. Breastfeeding releases the prolactin a hormone responsible for milk production. Prolactin also has a calming and sedating effect on a nursing mother. This relaxes the mother, helps her get back to sleep quickly after a night-time feed and may be helpful in combating the baby blues and potential postnatal depression. Studies show that mothers who breastfeed are less likely to suffer from postpartum anxiety and depression.

2. It has been shown that breastfeeding strengthens the bond between a mother and her baby. This can help first time mothers adapt to the role of motherhood more easily. Studies have also shown that mothers with a history of abandonment are less likely to leave their babies if they breastfeed them.

3. Breastfed babies are less likely to fall ill which offers mothers greater peace of mind. Something must be said about the benefit of not having to deal with the added stress of living with a child with recurrent illness.

Weight Loss Benefits:

Considering the fact that many mothers are usually most concerned about regaining their pre-pregnant weight and size, I thought this benefit deserved a title of its own.

1. Breastfeeding can consume an extra 200-500 calories a day (the equivalent of swimming 30 laps or riding a bicycle up a hill for an hour). This helps a mother return to her pre-pregnant weight more quickly and easily.

2. During pregnancy, fat is stored around the waist and hip areas to protect the baby and womb. This fat is utilised in the production of breast milk after birth, which helps a mother return to her pre-pregnant size more quickly than a mother who formula feeds her baby.

Other Benefits:

1. It has been estimated that breastfeeding can save parents an average of US$400-800 a year since there is no need to purchase expensive infant formulas.

2. Breastfeeding directly also means there is no need for baby bottles, sterilizers and other fancy equipment required with bottle feeding.

3. Breastfeeding is a lot more convenient, especially for night feeds as Mum does not have to get up to prepare formula.

4. A nursing mother can also feed the baby lying down which is not as tiring.

Clearly there are a lot of benefits for a mother to be derived from breastfeeding her baby beyond those that are specific to the baby. Perhaps if more women knew the benefits they themselves receive from breastfeeding, more mothers might choose to breastfeed instead of offering formula to their babies.

Learn more about this author, Shen-Li Lee.
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