We've talked about all the good things breastfeeding does for baby, now lets discuss the good things it does for Mother.
Now not only is your milk best for baby, but breastfeeding is also best for you. You will feel drained of milk, of energy, and of patience when those marathon days happen when baby wants to "breastfeed all the time." You might even feel like breastfeeding is one big give-a-thon. But that is not what breastfeeding is giving and giving only. The return on your effort and time is immeasurable both while you are breastfeeding and in years to come.
The concept of mutual giving is one of the main benefits of breastfeeding. You give to baby, baby gives to you. When your baby sucks, you give baby milk and baby's suckling stimulates nerves in your nipple to send a message to your pituitary gland -- the master control in your brain -- to secrete the hormone prolactin. Which is one of the mothering hormones, this substance travels throughout the mother's body telling her which turn to take and stimulating her motherly feelings.
Breastfeeding Gets You Back in Shape - The release of the hormone oxytocin, which contracts your uterus to (nearly) its prepregnant size, is stimulated during suckling. Mother shapes the baby -- the baby shapes the mother. And breastfeeding does not change the breasts to lose shape. Pregnancy is what brings on these changes.
Relax, Relax - Mother and baby are relaxed by breastfeeding. If you watch a baby while breastfeeding you will notice how the mother mellows, and the baby drifts peacefully to sleep as if given a natural tranquilizer. In fact, this happens. Breast milk contains a natural sleep-inducing protein that, in additional to the aforementioned satiety factor, puts baby into a restful slumber. Mother receives tranquilizing hormones induced by suckling. This natural calming is especially helpful for the baby (and mother) who has difficulty getting to sleep. This aspect of breastfeeding is a beautiful example of mutual giving when we let it happen naturally. This relaxing effect is particularly helpful to mothers with busy life-styles and it can help the mother unwind when breastfeeding.
Other Fringe Benefits - Mother's health is contributed to by breastfeeding. Women who breastfeed have a lower incidence of breast cancer -- an important consideration if you have a strong family history of cancer. Saving money in medical bills as breastfed babies tend to be healthier. Less expensive to breastfeed and it's better milk -- truly one of nature's best food bargains. And, for family planners, breastfeeding is a natural child spacer.
The Second Six Months: Moving Up - Part Six
This article includes the following items: Mastering the World of Words, Baby Words, Gestures and Body Language, Word and Voice Associations, , No-No-No,. Fun and Games with New Words and Gestures, Waving bye-bye, Imitating gestures, Peek-a-boo, More ball games, Keeping the Game going, Caring For your Baby's feet, When should I buy shoes for my baby?, Why does my baby need shoes?, Will shoes help my baby walk?, How can I tell if baby has outgrown her shoes? Toe room, throat room, The counter, What to look For In A Baby Shoe. This is the last part of this article. I hope you found the other five parts.
The Second Six Months: Moving Up - Part Five
This article includes the following items: Hand Skills, Baby Accommodates Hands to Objects, Container Play, Getting Into Your Baby's Mind, Signs of Developing Memory, Games to Play, Mental Protections. There will be one more part to this article so be sure to keep an eye out for it.
The Second Six Months: Moving Up - Part Four
In the dynamic journey from nine to twelve months, infants undergo significant motor development, transitioning from crawling to walking. This period is marked by rapid growth, where a baby's weight may increase by a third, and milestones such as first words and steps are achieved. Parents find themselves evolving too, as they adapt to their roles as safety supervisors, ensuring their environment is secure for their increasingly mobile child.
