While nursing is undoubtedly magical, there is no denying that it can also be quite the chore. Whether you are on the mother’s side or the father’s, there is always one person in the family who seems to have it easier while the other one has to deal with baby’s needs. Breastfeeding can be a major source of stress for both parents, especially if the child is not sleeping well like they should be. It is important to remember that even when you feel like your baby is getting the best possible care, there will always be room for improvement.
Does breastfeeding help you lose weight? It is certainly a common question; often, after you’ve had kids, people will ask you if you’ve lost any weight since having kids because they think that mothers should always look as good as new. However, breastfeeding doesn’t just make you look great, it also provides you with some amazing health benefits. More and more moms are realizing the great benefits of breastfeeding and are using it as a tool to help them get back into shape. Here are 10 reasons why breastfeeding can help you lose weight.
It Provides Energy
Energy is highly needed for a mother after giving birth, especially if she is planning on taking care of her new baby herself. In some instances, this can be really hard to come by, especially if you are a working mom. When you are breastfeeding, the sugar in your milk helps fuel your baby’s growth and development; this is a key reason why you are supposed to be gaining weight while your child is growing. When your baby reaches the mother’s lactogenic glands, she will begin to produce more milk than usual. Some mothers actually experience a boost in energy while on their nursing breaks. This is probably because of all of the sugar in their milk. If you’re interested in trying this method, make sure that you tell your employer about your breastfeeding needs so that you can get the necessary accommodations.
It Improves Blood Flow
When you’re breastfeeding, blood flow to your baby’s vital organs increases due to the increased demand that their bodies place on the milk. Since having higher blood flow is essential for fetal growth and development, this can be a major reason why breastfeeding can help you lose weight. You would not want to deprive your baby of all the nutrients just to satisfy your own needs. During these crucial developmental stages, it is better to nourish your baby with the right food than to give them supplements to raise their growth rate. One of the best things about breastfeeding is that it allows you to improve the health of your baby throughout their entire life. Since your baby’s blood circulation is increased, their chance of getting sickly diseases is also raised. You can rest assure that your baby is getting the best possible start in life by ensuring that they receive enough nutrients from their mothers’ milk.
It Reduces The Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
Eating the right food is essential for a child’s health, but so is exercising regularly. When your baby begins to experiment with solid foods, the father’s insulin resistance will lower their risk of type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, breastfeeding for a certain period can reduce the mother’s chance of type 2 diabetes by 38% due to increased insulin sensitivity. Since type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening, this is certainly a huge advantage to the child. Studies have also shown that kids who were breastfed had a lower body mass index (BMI) than their counterparts who were not.
It Promotes Better Sleep
Your baby’s sleep is sometimes even more important than their waking hours. When they are in a good nightly sleep routine, they will stop waking up hungry and will instead let their bodies tell them when they are full. This promotes healthier eating and reduces the number of nighttime feedings. It is often the case that parents will put their tiredness level before that of their child’s when deciding between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. While it is important to feel comfortable in whatever decision you make, make sure that you put your baby’s needs first so that they get the best possible start in life.
It Has Healthier Proteins
The amount of protein in your baby’s diet will depend on several factors, but mostly on their needs. When your baby is born, they will have a higher demand for proteins than usual due to their rapidly growing bodies. After they have eaten enough to satisfy their needs, their parents’ requirement will drop significantly. Breastfeeding can provide better quality proteins than formula, thus benefiting both you and your baby. If you want to lose weight, breastfeeding can be an excellent option since it provides both nutritional and health benefits to you and your baby. You should seriously consider trying this method since there are so many advantages to both you and your child.
It Makes Your Baby Less Vague
It is often the case that when a baby starts experiencing their world, the dark colors will attract them more than the light ones. This can make it difficult for their parents to dress them since the latter usually chooses colors that are not too infantilizing. When your baby is young, they will not mind being undressed for a brief moment since the experience is new and exciting for them. As they get older, this behavior will cease as they get used to the idea of being naked in front of people they don’t know. While it is considered polite to be modest while nursing, it is still considered less embarrassing to be naked in front of your baby when in intimate conditions. This is why breastfeeding helps reduce parent-child embarrassment since you and your baby will not feel self-conscious while being naked in front of each other. You’ll also be able to feel your baby’s head against your chest as you nurse, which is a unique type of bonding experience that not even boob-feeding can replicate. It is certainly worth the effort to be able to nurse in front of your baby without feeling self-conscious, especially if your breasts are not large enough to produce enough milk for both of you.
It Strengthens The Parent-child Bond
It is often the case that when parents put their baby in the parent’s arms, the feeling is mutual. This can be a loving gesture that lets both parents bond with their baby while simultaneously satisfying their hunger. If you want to lose weight, this can be an excellent option since it allows both of you to bond with your child while also taking care of your hunger. You shouldn’t feel bad about this type of parenting since it is, in fact, one of the healthier options. Studies have shown that there is no difference in terms of parent-child bonding between mothers who nurse and those who bottle-feed. The only difference is that the former group have a higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding. If you want to strengthen your parent-child bond, nursing is certainly a healthy alternative since it allows both of you to bond while also taking care of your hunger. This can be an important bonding experience that you and your child will look back on in the future.
It Provides Protection
Your baby’s skin is quite delicate and can be easily damaged by the environment around them. Although it is important to keep your baby’s surroundings clean, there is no harm in sticking them in the back of the car for a long ride if it means protecting their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. When your baby is in a sun-protective sleeper, they will be shielded from the sun’s harmful effects and can thus be protected from heatstroke. Some sleepwear even come with an SPF rating, which indicates the level of protection your baby will receive while wearing it. This is why it is considered good parenting to put your baby in clothes that are not only comfortable but also protect them from the elements around them. While it is important to keep your baby’s health in mind, you must also ensure that they are not overheating due to the heat that may be present.
It Relieves Nausea And Vomiting
Eating the right food and drinking plenty of fluids are important for your baby’s health. When your baby is born, they will have an increased need for these nutrients due to their rapidly growing bodies. After they have eaten enough to satisfy their needs, their parent’s requirement will drop significantly. It is often the case that when your baby experiences their first ups and downs after being born, vomiting and nausea are the results. If you want to relieve these unpleasantries, breastfeeding can be an excellent option since it provides both nutrition and comfort to your baby. Some studies have even shown that it can reduce the risk of necrotizing colitis in infants by 71%. While these studies are promising, more research is needed before we can draw a clear conclusion; however, the fact that it can reduce these risks is undoubtedly magical in its own right.