benefit for breastfeeding mother

* Less Hemorrhaging.  Mothers who formula feed have to be given medicine after birth to shrink the uterus and prevent dangerous hemorrhaging.  Nursing mothers produce this hormone naturally. The act of the baby's suckling tightens the uterus, helping to flatten and help the uterus return to its prepregnancy size.

* Less stress.   Breast feeding has been shown to decrease the incidence of illness in babies.  Dealing with a healthy baby is much easier than having to deal with a sick baby.

* Lifestyle benefits. Breastfeeding babies are portable and travel is easier. A breastfeeding Mother can grab baby, a diaper and go.. no bottles to worry about. Mom also saves time - no preparing or washing bottles or shopping for formula. Laundry is even easier since breastmilk doesn't stain, and breastmilk spit up and poop generally have less unpleasant odor.

* Less worry. During times of natural disaster, a breastfeeding mother only has to find adequate nourishment for herself. There are no concerns about dirty water or not being able to find formula for the baby.

* Birth control.  Consistent breast feeding has been shown to be effective in preventing ovulation.  This effect may also be why nursing helps prevent breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers.

* Weight loss.  Producing breast milk burns up a lot of calories.  Mothers who nurse have been shown to take off the pregnancy weight faster. 

* Increased bonding.  In addition to helping your baby bond with you, breastfeeding produces hormones that help you bond better with your baby. Oxytocin, known as "the love hormone", produces feelings of euphoria in the Mother and helps her deal with stress better than if she weren't lactating. This is nature's little gift to new Moms!

* Health benefits for Mother. Breastfeeding Mothers have less incidence of Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. In addition, breastfeeding completes the normal, healthy physiologic cycle of conception, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding that the body expects to occur.

* Confidence. Breastfeeding Mothers gain a sense of confidence that comes from being able to meet baby's needs so naturally and simply. Babies need little - warmth, food and love, and breastfeeding does all three. This may be why breastfeeding Mothers experience fewer and less severe episodes of postpartum depression, and if they do suffer from it, the impact on the baby is less detrimental.

* Financial benefits. Breastfeeding for a year can save over $1,000 in the cost of formula alone, this figure doesn't include the extra cost of Doctors and prescriptions that would occur because of more illness due to formula feeding.