i understand benefits of bf for baby but please explain benefits for mum.

[notsoslimnow]

hello, id love some info if anyone has any on the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother.i have read lots on why its best for baby but i believe there are some for mum too? tia.

[PuzzleRocks]

www.breastfeedingmums.com/article_breastfeeding_benefits_for_mum.htm

Here's a few.

[mumofmonstaaarrrs]

the one for me that is never ever mentioned is that its sooo easy just to lift up your top when you are out than wonder how m,any bottles to take and where to heat them

[CoolYourJets]

being able to sleep while feeding is a def plus.

[ChopsTheDuck]

for me it was losing weight and having decent sized boobs to fill a dress for a bit longer!

[MrsTittleMouse]

It is much much more convenient, as you don't have to faff around sterilising and making up bottles and then washing up, and when you go out you don't have to think about how long you'll be out for, or worry if it's longer than you'd planned, as you'll always have food and drink for your baby.

Plus I gather that it burns off calories and can reduce the risk of breast cancer - but I didn't care at all about those at the time.

[misdee]

good piece here

[belgo]

It helps your uterus return to it's normal size after child birth.

[notsoslimnow]

is it really true that it helps to loose the weight? i wondered if that was just a myth?

[belgo]

It helped me regain my figure, I certainly didn't diet. I'm hoping it will help again as I've put on so much weight during this pregnancy!

[PuzzleRocks]

I gained 4 and a half stone and with just breastfeeding it had all but dropped off in 14 months. Pretty good results.

[beansprout]

I've dropped all the weight and then some in 7 months.

[GreenMonkies]

Ok, I will try not to be pedantic/semantic and point out that there are no benefits of breastfeeding, as it is the biological norm (just like there are no "benefits of not smoking) only risks involved, to both mother and baby, by not breastfeeding. Oops, did it any way!

Any way, if a mum doesn't breastfeed she is at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Also, without the endorphins released during breastfeeding you'll not find it so easy to go back to sleep after night feeds and it is thought you are more likely to develop post natal depression. Your uterus will take longer to return to it's pre-pregnancy size (and you're more likely to need the injection to expell the placenta if you don't put baby to the breast asap after the birth) You will possibley take longer to lose your "baby weight".

Formula will cost you between £5-£10 a week (compared to breastfeeding which is free) and you'll have to make sure you are super organised and always have enough bottles clean, water boiled and cooled and milk powder to hand (or cartons, which are even more expensive) when you go out for any amount of time. If you go on holiday you will almost certainly have to take your own formula with you (as well as a load of bulky bottles and steriliser), and of course there will be issues with water as the tap water may not be as clean as in the UK and bottled water is not suitable for making up infant formula.

Does that help?

[noolia]

If baby is wakes in the night you don't have to faff around in the kitchen with bottles.

[LaVie]

free and no faffing in the middle of the night!

However, I didn't lose my last 10lbs until I stopped bf and then it just fell off. I remember in my nct class the instructor saying that the body retains this fat to enable you to make better bm. I'm sure she phrased it better! Probably not the same for everyone though.

[sockmonkey]

Its FREE!!!

[wja]

Free,always available at correct temp,U dont have to pack anything for feeding in yr change bag and my belly def went down quicker than non bfeedng friends.And I found it actually quite a lovely rewarding experience!

[pipsy76]

example, crying hungry 1 yr old, lost with 2 stressed parents on bikes in thetford forest ( in February!), cr@p mother has forgot any food or juice for him 'cos she thought they'd only be 20 minutes, what to do? Suddenly remembered, oh great I've got breast milk, problem solved!

[fadingfast]

I would disagree that it is free, once you've factored in the cost of decent breast pads (I get through 100s of these and washable ones just aren't up to the job), feeding bras and a pump/steriliser etc (if you want to express). Granted it is a lot cheaper than formula though.

HOWEVER I have discovered some marvellous reasons for breastfeeding, as well as those already mentioned:

It is an ideal position for (gently!) picking wax out of baby's ear.

It is a great excuse for leaving the room to escape the in laws (for reasons of 'modesty' of course).

Large boobs create the illusion of a smaller stomach.

[naturalblonde]

Fadingfast

Best benefit for me was not having a screaming hungry baby waiting for milk to heat/cool to right temp in the middle of the night.

[IAteDavinaForDinner]

Health benefits aside, for me:

• many happy weeks spent on my arse in front of daytime TV/DVDs eating biscuits and drinking tea completely guilt-free
• sometimes it's the only way to calm down a fraught baby. Many's the time DP and I have been thankful that DS is still breastfed because I am sure it's his preferred source of comfort.
• extra sleep - self-explanatory!
• minimal faffing, easy to get out of the house, no stress finding facilities to warm/make-up bottles.
• Even at 14 months, I still sometimes forget to bring food etc for DS because boobs are such an easy fallback
• oxytocin, I think I'm an addict - brilliant chillout.
• really great bonding time when you've been separated (eg for working mums) - although that's an oxytocin thing too I think
• psychologically it is good to feel you are providing your baby with something which benefits them on so many levels - and being able to look at your little cherub and know it was all your own work is brilliant.

I'm getting a bit too evangelical now, I'm going to stop

[AbbeyA]

It is free.
Quick and easy-no faffing about making up bottles.
You don't have to worry about measuring powder.
The correct temperature.
No sterilisation.
You lose weight.
You don't have to forward plan-you can go out and stay out longer than you intended.

I can see why people stop if they have difficulty but I can't see why anyone would choose to bottle feed and make life so difficult for themselves.

[LaVie]

I used to pick at the cradlecap on ds's head whilst bf.

[GreenMonkies]

LaVie, I used to do this with DD1 too, she still likes me to run my fingers through her hair now, she's 5!!

I forgot to add, you can surf the internet or read books whilst breastfeeding, as you have at least one hand free, two if you are in a BN type position, but I never figured out how to knit whilst boobing!

[traceybath]

Well sorry to disappoint but the weight hasn't melted off me - 9 months in - perhaps it'll happen soon!

But the benefits from my perspective are:

• i am lazy
• night feeds can be done in bed laying down
• first feed of the day can be done whilst i'm half asleep laying down
• daytime feeds mean i have to sit on sofa and watch tv/mumsnet whilst feeding

are you spotting a theme?

[misselizabethbennett]

I have BF walking across sand dunes, sitting on the floor of a changing room helping my sister choose a dress, on a beach in Greece, and many more places (including many happy hours in front of Phil and Fern). The convenience gives you freedom.

Not sure if it's frowned upon, but you can also BF lying down in bed, which is lovely.

I never needed breast pads and never bought a breast pump, so mine really was free!