5 Things You May Not Know About Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the perfect way of feeding babies. Breast milk not only contains all the nutrients that babies need but also provides perfect nutritional balance and antibodies.

In addition to being the most natural way to feed babies, breastfeeding also helps to create and strengthen the maternal bond and increase the mother’s self-esteem, which is especially necessary to prevent or overcome possible postpartum depression.

But surely you already knew this. However, there are a number of other aspects of breastfeeding that are not so well known, which are also very interesting to reinforce the idea that breastfeeding is an excellent option.

Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer

Recent studies have shown that premenopausal women who breastfed their children had up to 50 percent less chance of developing breast cancer, compared to women who did not breastfeed their children.

This research also supported a strong correlation between the duration of breastfeeding and the rate of cancer risk reduction, especially in women who breastfed for more than a year.

Other research has shown the existence of a direct relationship between women who were breastfed when they were babies and a lower risk of breast cancer.

The size of the breasts and the amount of milk

In general, the size of the breasts has nothing to do with breastfeeding and the ability of a mother to breastfeed her baby.

There is no evidence to suggest that women with small breasts or nipples have more problems producing milk. Milk is produced in the mammary glands that are present in the breasts of all women.

In addition, the inability to produce enough milk to feed a child is quite rare. It is not a common occurrence for women to have to supplement with formula.

In general, this deficiency is related to previous trauma, extreme caloric restriction, hyperthyroidism or other factors, such as stress.

Breastfeeding can be difficult

Babies are born with the sucking instinct, but their sense of smell also helps to create the bond with their mother. Through smell, the baby is able to go to his mother’s breast to look for food. And if the mother appears, the baby can identify her even though they have not heard her.

The fact that breastfeeding is natural does not mean it is easy. However, breastfeeding may be difficult and, in the beginning, complications may occur.

Breastfeeding can be painful. In addition, no mother is spared the possibility of developing a mastitis at any time, which can be much more complicated if not treated in time.

In addition, breastfeeding conditions the mother’s entire life and forces her to organize herself according to the needs of her baby.

At the beginning, this is mainly based on conditioning the hours of sleep and rest, but as time goes by, women are realizing that continuing to breastfeed demands much more sacrifice than it seemed at first.

Breasts grow and become more sensitive and receptive

When the milk begins to flow, the size of the breast increases, as well as sensitivity. In fact, any stimulus can cause a discharge of milk, both physical and sensory (many women discharge milk just by hearing the baby cry).

However, the milk itself that accumulates in the breast can cause congestion and be very painful. That is why it is important to breastfeed the baby often or remove the milk so that it does not accumulate and thus avoid the discomfort and the possibility of developing a mastitis.