How Breastmilk Contributes to Your Baby’s Adult Health

There is no debate that breast is best when it comes to your child. Yes, there are instances when a mother isn’t able to breastfeed her child and must use formula. For that she should not feel guilty, as there have been remarkable improvements in formula ingredients. However, there are still at least hundreds of components in breast milk that can’t be duplicated. Studies are now showing a link between breastfeeding and the continuing health of an adult. The benefits of breastfeeding, it seems, can last a lifetime.

One thing you can look forward to in a breastfed infant is a healthy weight gain. This doesn’t stop when you wean, necessarily. Studies show that your child is much less likely to become obese later in life if they enjoyed breast milk as an infant. It is never too early to start good eating habits and breast milk is specifically designed for your baby. Also, baby will learn naturally when to stop eating, as there is no way for a mother to know how much is coming out of her breast. By trusting his body’s signals for fullness, your baby is already learning self-discipline in regards to eating.

Orthodontists have noticed that only a minority if their young patients were exclusive breast feeders. That is because breastfeeding promotes good alignment of the jaw and teeth. Suckling on a breast requires a much more complex use of facial muscles than suckling a bottle. This can also contribute to a reduction of sleep apnea later, a potentially dangerous sleep disorder involving the soft tissue in the back of the mouth. No braces may be one more cost cut you can thank breastfeeding for.

Another benefit of breast milk is the fact that an infant’s intake of cow’s milk may be delayed. Although cow’s milk will become a staple in the child’s diet eventually, infants cannot metabolize it well and are advised not to drink it until at least one year of age. This contributes to another benefit: babies who are breastfed have lower insulin in their bodies. As a result, they are less likely to develop Type 1 Diabetes during childhood.

The benefits of breastfeeding seem to be endless. Countless new studies are being done everyday that suggest a breastfed baby is less likely to have the following later in life: heart disease, stroke, asthma, allergies, digestion problems, Crohn’s disease, and various childhood cancers. It really makes sense to give baby the greatest gift you can by breastfeeding at least for one year. Less than that will be beneficial too, so try to do it as long as you can. Your child will reap the rewards for the rest of his life.