How breastfeeding keeps a mother healthy

While breastfeeding helps the baby get all the essential nutrients, it is equally beneficial for the mother in just more than one way. But nobody talks about how breastfeeding helps mothers as well. Breastfeeding is a two way process helping both the baby and mother in multiple ways. While breast milk provides the ultimate protection for the baby to fight against diseases, it also helps the mother in various ways.

Breastfeeding lowers bleeding risk after delivery: The baby’s first feed right after the delivery is extremely important. This not only ensures that the newborn gets the share of nutrients and food to satiate after the difficult process of childbirth but also helps lower bleeding from the uterus that happens right after delivery.

Breastfeeding helps fight iron deficiency: Indian mothers often suffer from iron deficiency. Persistent breastfeeding minimises this risk and delays menstruation thereby preventing iron loss through menstrual flow. However, gynaecologists suggest that mothers should take iron supplements for at least three months after delivery. 

Breastfeeding reduced the risk of conception: Conceiving soon after the delivery isn’t appropriate either for the mother, the baby or the unborn child. But exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after childbirth along with an absence of menstruation acts as a protection and reduces the chances of conceiving right after a pregnancy. However, it is advisable to keep a proper gap between two pregnancies to avoid any complications.

Breastfeeding helps you shed post- pregnancy weight gain: Weight gain after pregnancy is something difficult to deal with. The best way to reduce post-delivery fat accumulation is breastfeed. The process of breastfeeding utilises the fat stored in different parts of the body for the production of breast milk, hence, reducing the fat considerably.

Breastfeeding helps contract the uterus post-delivery: Persistent suckling by the baby at the breast helps in the secretion of certain hormones that contracts the uterus and helps it retain the original size. According to gynaecologists, it varies from person to person.

Breastfeeding builds a strong bond with the baby: Breastfeeding gives you and your baby a chance to enjoy enough skin-to-skin contact that helps create a strong bond between the mother and the baby. Breastfeeding also creates a calming effect on the mother which helps to deal better with the immediate strains of labour, reduces postpartum depression and helps to adjust with the various hormonal changes happening post delivery.