5 Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom

Breastfeeding has amazing benefits for your baby – and you!

It is truly amazing what breast milk does for your baby – and those benefits might be one of the primary reasons you decided to breastfeed. But while you’re providing liquid gold for your little one, the benefits of breastfeeding are making good things happen for you, too!

• Breastfeeding burns calories

If you feel physically tired post-baby and can’t even fathom an exercise routine, it may help to know in the first 3 to 12 months postpartum, your body burns between 300-500 calories a day producing breast milk.

• Breastfeeding helps you post-delivery

The hormone oxytocin that’s released while breastfeeding not only helps you to bond with baby and eases feelings of stress and anxiety, but also stimulates postpartum uterine contractions, which helps reduce post-delivery blood loss and helps your uterus return to its normal size.

• Breastfeeding gives you confidence

Knowing you’re providing your baby’s nutrition straight from your own body will help you to feel more confident in your body and what it can do.

• Breastfeeding benefits your health

Breastfeeding has been linked to reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and reduced rates of developing heart disease, osteoarthritis, obesity and hypertension.

• Breastfeeding strengthens friendships

Your circle of friends may expand and grow as you find a new tribe of fellow breastfeeding mamas on their own journeys right along with you.

Be proud of what you’re doing for your baby when breastfeeding – and know that while you are providing the best for your little one, there are plenty of breastfeeding benefits for you as a mom. As you watch your child grow and move past the days of breastfeeding, you’ll see the benefits of breastfeeding in the quality of their life, and the strength of your bond with them. And that’s worth it.