From the moment the baby takes the nipple, breastfeeding begins to “enhance” the mother’s health. The following benefits are listed in descending order. 1, less bleeding, fast recovery The baby repeatedly sucking, prompting the mother’s pituitary gland to issue instructions: quickly, the release of contraction hormone. This hormone is responsible for two major functions: first, to remind the breast that the baby is hungry and to produce milk quickly (induce the spurt reflex). Second, it causes the uterus to contract. With the assistance of contractions, it can prevent postpartum bleeding to some extent and promote the recovery of the uterus (return to a non-pregnant state). In addition, it reduces the risk of bleeding, thus reducing the risk of puerperal infection. 2, no cost “contraceptive methods” baby drinking formula, the mother in the postpartum 6 to 8 weeks, will be reunited with “aunt”. With exclusive breastfeeding – no formula, food or pacifiers – the time for mothers to dry with their “period” again will be significantly delayed. Without periods, there is no ovulation (there are very occasional cases of ovulation without bleeding). Therefore, breastfeeding, also known as “lactational amenorrhea” (LAM), is a well-proven method of contraception. This method allows for natural contraception, ensures the best survival of each child, and gives the mother sufficient time to recuperate (just breastfeed one, carry one, whatever makes you happy). Exclusive breastfeeding = contraception, which requires 3 conditions to be met: (1) the child is less than 6 months old; (2) the mother still has her period; (3) the mother strictly follows exclusive breastfeeding on demand, i.e. breastfeeding both during the day and at night. In the first 6 months after delivery, the breastfeeding amenorrhea method has a 98% to 99% success rate of contraception – for the record, not 100%, don’t be too capricious. Compared to this, formula-fed mothers in the first 6 weeks after giving birth, to start implementing effective contraceptive methods. 3, not iron deficiency ah not anemia “aunt” in addition to inconvenience, more importantly, lead to iron loss. During breastfeeding, the amount of iron taken away by the mother’s milk secretion (fed to the child) is far less than the amount of iron lost by menstrual blood loss. In other words, the risk of iron deficiency anemia is lower for breastfeeding mothers than for formula-feeding mothers. And, the longer the breastfeeding time, the longer the amenorrhea time, the greater this benefit. 4, breast milk 1 day = swimming 1 hour Guess how many calories will be consumed by breastfeeding one day? Equivalent to 1 hour of swimming and 1 hour of climbing on a bicycle. And you just lie/sit and put the child on your chest – the calories are sucked away. Studies have also found that breastfeeding mothers are better at burning fat stored during pregnancy. Compared to breastfeeders, non-breastfeeding moms have a harder time losing weight and have a harder time keeping it off. “You’re not right! I breastfed too, so why am I so fat and chubby?” Some would say. Have you counted how much you eat every day? Do you really need to eat that much? 5, prevent diabetes Before pregnancy with type 1 diabetes, or pregnancy in the emergence of gestational diabetes, the mother should insist on breast milk! For the former, because breastfeeding requires less insulin, their blood sugar levels will drop. And breastfeeding mothers with gestational diabetes will have lower, lower blood sugar levels than those who are not breastfeeding. In addition, the risk of diabetes has increased for those mothers (pregnancy weight out of control, grew 50 or 60 pounds), control diet, adhere to breastfeeding, weight loss will be significant and reduce the risk of subsequent diabetes. 6, the heart also benefits Breastfeeding mothers have higher levels of high-density lipoprotein. Maximum weight loss + improved blood sugar levels + high levels of “good” cholesterol = decreased heart disease findings. Here to highlight, heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, do you want to prevent it? 6. Cancer prevention! Cancer prevention! The three times I’ve said it is not for emphasis. Each cancer here has a specific reference: ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer. Reason 1: Repeated ovulation cycles and non-breastfeeding may cause high estrogen levels. And there is a close relationship between high estrogen levels and the occurrence of all 3 cancers mentioned above. That is, the higher the estrogen level, the higher the incidence of 3 cancers will be. Reason 2: Breastfeeding may locally affect the physiological function of the breast. One study deduced that adhering to breastfeeding for 6~24 months may reduce the risk of breast cancer by 11%~25%. There was also a study that analyzed mothers who only breastfed with one side of the breast. The results found that NeiNei, the side that did not breastfeed, had a higher risk of cancer. A plug here: Some studies have had conflicting results regarding the relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer. This may stem from flaws in the study design and the lack of a uniform definition of breastfeeding. For example, some studies define breastfeeding as breastfeeding at least once a day, while others define it as “exclusive breastfeeding without the use of any other complementary foods and rubber nipples”. 7, bye bye osteoporosis One of the important elements of breast milk is calcium. Current research shows that after weaning, the bone density level of breastfeeding mothers will return to the same or even higher than before pregnancy. There are also studies that prove that women who have not breastfed have a higher risk of hip fractures after menopause – and these fractures are often directly related to osteoporosis. 8, good mood, more calm Breastfeeding provides a mother AND baby zero distance interaction, a skin-to-skin intimacy and warmth. The baby sucks the breast, the mother’s body lactogen levels will increase. This is a “calming” hormone that calms and pleases the mind. Studies have confirmed that breastfeeding mothers are less likely to have violent reactions to adrenaline stimulation (watching horror movies, experiencing fright) (Altemus, 1995). Although not supported by research, some doctors feel that even if a mother experiences postpartum depression, in most cases, with counseling and family relationship adjustment, she can recover more quickly if she continues breastfeeding. Unfortunately, too many doctors insist that moms wean + take antidepressants to deal with emotional problems. 9. No anxiety, happier marriage! Imported milk powder is good, but can not grab! A can of four or five hundred, the banknotes can not eat! No antibodies to milk powder, baby always sick! Worry worry worry! These anxieties have long been piled up in the minds of mothers, is a huge psychological burden. This is more than “not enough breast milk”, “children do not grow”, “nutrition is not up to standard”, there is nothing worse. In contrast, breast milk contains unique immune antibodies and breastfed babies are more resistant. As a result, the mother with the baby to the doctor may be less, the whole family because of the child’s poor health and anxiety, arguments, will also be less and less. The marital happiness index is naturally higher. To make a simple summary: breastfeeding has many benefits and can reduce the risk of 3 serious diseases: female cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.