by Asante George a.k.a. Luvli Lotus

Photos by Yves Piqc & Alexander Tundakov

Breastfeeding is the oldest form of nurturing from mother to child, and it provides vast benefits for children, mothers, and the environment. With so many feeding options available for infants and toddlers, here are 14 fabulous reasons for you to consider breastfeeding.

1. Studies have shown that babies who are breastfed develop fewer infections and illnesses and experience fewer hospital visits early in life. This protection has been shown to go beyond the period of breastfeeding.

2. Allergies today are more common than ever. Breastfeeding has been shown to protect children against allergies at least through adolescence.

3. Studies show that breastfeeding can lead to better brain development and a higher IQ.

4. Research indicates that breastfed children are more socially secure and outgoing than children who are not breastfed.

5. Breastmilk has been shown to prevent infant tooth decay.

6. Breastfeeding toddlers improves their overall health, meets their dependency needs, and helps them grow emotionally.

7. Breastfeeding is associated with lowering a child's risk of developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

8. It is common for a mother's fertility to be delayed while breastfeeding, thus allowing for child spacing.

9. Mothers who breastfeed for two years or more are at significantly lower risk for developing breast cancer.

10. Breastfeeding decreases a mother's risk of uterine cancer due to lowered estrogen levels.

11. Breastfeeding is good for the mother's mental health and emotional well-being. It also decreases her risk of postpartum depression.

12. Breastfeeding burns calories, up to 600 a day for mothers who breastfeed exclusively. This helps mothers lose weight and get back into shape after pregnancy and birth.

13. Breastfeeding is not only the best way to feed your baby, it's also free!

14. Breastmilk requires no packaging that will later end up in a land fill, so it's eco-friendly.

Sources:

http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_more.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2105113

http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_iq.html#SECOND

http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/documents/LawrenceANGxp.pdf

http://www.brianpalmerdds.com/caries.htm

http://www.lllofnorthaz.org/article/the-benefits-of-breastfeeding-a-toddler

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122080721.htm

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/endometrial/Patient/page3#Keypoint13

http://www.millerchildrenshospitallb.org/health-news-and-library/benefits-of-breastfeeding-protect-baby-from-illnesses-infection-and-it-s-good-for-mom-too

http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_lose_weight.html