Breastfeeding Benefits for Moms
The benefits of breastfeeding for babies are well-known, but fewer people know about the incredible benefits mothers get when they breastfeed their children. For example, did you know breastfeeding lowers your risk for breast and ovarian cancers?
Getting life insurance following breast cancer can be a challenge, so reducing your risk of breast cancer can help you better provide for your family by opening up options for life insurance policies.
In addition to lowering your risk of cancer, breastfeeding has several other significant benefits for moms, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, and a better mood, thanks to the hormones released while breastfeeding.
If you need a little encouragement in your breastfeeding journey, read on to learn more about its benefits for you and how it can relate to life insurance as another way to care for your family.
6 Perks of Breastfeeding for Moms
Breastfeeding isn’t all beautiful and easy. It’s usually downright brutal for the first few weeks. If you want to give up, seek support from your care practitioner, a lactation consultant, and moms who’ve been where you are now.
If breastfeeding is suitable for your family and you’re able to make it through the tough times and find a routine and the bonding that results, you’ll see that it was worth it.
#1 –Breastfeeding Lowers Your Risk of Certain Cancers
According to a study published by the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, for every 12 months of breastfeeding, a woman’s risk of breast cancer decreases by 4.3%.
Breastfeeding is also connected to a lower risk of ovarian cancer, especially aggressive types of ovarian cancer. Cancer affects your quality of life in almost every way. It’s harder, if not impossible, to find life insurance if you have had cancer. You’ll also likely feel the effects of cancer treatment even after your cancer is gone.
It’s tough, and if you can lower your chance of dealing with cancer, you probably should.
#2 – Hormones Help Your Mood
Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which is your feel-good hormone. Remember that when you’re feeling stressed and your baby cries right when you need to be getting things done. Maybe exactly what you need is to lay aside your other items and feed your baby. The release of oxytocin will help you feel better and reduce your anxiety.
The release of oxytocin will also help you bond with your baby. Individual journeys don’t always look like a fairy tale, and not every mother feels an immediate bond with her baby. Breastfeeding can help foster that bond.
#3 – Your Blood Pressure May Improve
If you’ve ever brainstormed on ways to keep your risk of heart disease down, you probably thought of things like healthy cooking or exercise. But did you ever put breastfeeding on your list?
High blood pressure puts you at risk for several heart-related problems, but breastfeeding for six months is linked to lower blood pressure, which can improve your health and life insurance blood test results. That’s probably one of the contributing factors to the connection between breastfeeding and reduced risk of heart disease.
#4 – Recovery From Childbirth Is Faster When You Breastfeed
After birthing a baby, a woman’s uterus must contract to stop bleeding. If it doesn’t contract, there could be severe complications. Nearly any woman who has experienced a nursing baby’s effect on the uterus will tell you how painful it can be.
But that pain is a sign of good things. Breastfeeding signals the release of hormones that cause the uterus to contract. To help alleviate the pain, you can try a heating pad on your abdomen and the same breathing or focusing techniques you may have used during labor.
#5 – Breastfeeding Gives You an Excuse to Escape
While not every new mom feels the same way, many feel overwhelmed by a steady stream of visitors. And when those visitors want to hold the baby, those moms might start to feel anxious. Advocating for yourself and your baby and letting visitors know you need some alone time is an excellent way to deal with it.
If you’re afraid of hurting feelings, remember that you can escape with your baby at any moment by saying, “Oh, I think it’s time for me to breastfeed.” No one will question you, and you can escape with your baby for as long as you want.
#6 – You’ll Have Less to Remember When You Go Out
A breastfed baby requires very little preparation for a day out. All you need to do is pack some diapers and a couple of changes of clothes since newborn blowouts are no joke. Your baby will have access to nourishment as long as they’re with you, so packing bottles is one less thing you have to worry about.
#7 – Breastfeeding Saves Money
If you’re looking for ways to save money, add breastfeeding to the list.
Formula is expensive. Breastmilk is free. You could consider the extra calories a breastfeeding mom has to consume to keep milk production up, but breastfeeding is still cheaper than formula feeding.
When Breastfeeding Is Hard
You might have heard someone say that breastfeeding is natural, and it is. But you might get the idea that it just happens without any work. That’s not usually the case. Your baby might have difficulty latching, your nipples may get sore or even damaged, and your baby could get frustrated. The list continues, but to sum it up, sometimes it’s hard.
But a sound support system can help you work through the hard times.
Lactation Consultants Can Help You Overcome Challenges
Your hospital should have lactation consultants who offer assistance during your initial hospital stay. Before you leave the hospital, make sure you ask for their contact information so you can get additional help as needed.
Some hospitals are very proactive regarding breastfeeding, and they offer free lactation support, including home visits and hospital visits. Other hospitals don’t put as much effort into helping mothers on their breastfeeding journey, but often, they’ll still host weekly support groups facilitated by a lactation consultant.
If you had an out-of-hospital birth, your midwife is likely a lactation consultant as well or has one she works closely with. Usually, lactation support is included with their services, and they’re available for visits or troubleshooting at any hour of the day or night.
Experienced Breastfeeding Mothers Are a Valuable Resource
If breastfeeding is important to you, seek support from moms who have breastfed their babies. Peer support is great because you’ll have people who are experiencing the same problems and feelings as you currently, but the help of experienced mothers is essential.
Before you post your breastfeeding question on a social media platform and get advice ranging from “give up now” to “persevere even though it’s killing you,” talk personally to moms to find out how they worked through hard times.
Breastfeeding isn’t for everyone, but if you can work through the initial few weeks of potential difficulties and establish a healthy breastfeeding relationship, the benefits will not be solely for your baby. You’ll also reap many short-term and long-term benefits from breastfeeding your baby.
Melanie Musson writes and researches for the life insurance comparison site, QuickQuote.com. As a mom of five, she understands the challenges of breastfeeding but is passionate about helping others understand the rewards, especially when it comes to access to life insurance options.
