New parents want to give their baby the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the healthiest way to feed your baby is to breastfeed her. Unless your baby is born needing immediate medical care, it is best to begin breast-feeding within one hour of birth. Studies show that breast-feeding, exclusively for at least four months, may help prevent gastroenteritis and lower your baby's risk of respiratory illness and ear infection. Mother's milk contains fatty acids, water, lactose and amino acids which help in digestion, brain development and growth of your baby.

Benefits To Babies

Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development. It is more difficult to get milk out of a breast than a bottle. This exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. The milk that comes straight from the breast is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles which can lead to diarrhea in babies. Breast-fed babies have stronger resistance because of the antibodies present in mother's milk. It protects the babies from German measles, bronchitis, influenza and staphylococcal infections. Nursing also has a psychological effect on the baby. It creates a bond between the mother and child. When you breast-feed, your child thrives on the direct skin contact, the cuddling and holding.

Also Beneficial To The Mother

Since nursing uses a lot of calories, it a quicker way to burn fat and lose weight. You can burn anywhere between 300 to 500 calories in a day. Also, breast-feeding stimulates the uterus to come back to its original size. Research shows that the incidence of ovarian and breast cancer is reduced in women who breast-feed. There are no bottles to sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix. Nursing at night is also easier. You don't have to run for a bottle, boil the water and measure the formula. Simultaneously, you are forced to get the needed rest every few hours when you nurse. It is also said that till the time you breast-feed your baby, the chances of your getting pregnant are rare. It also saves upon money, especially for the lower class people.

Possible Problems

In the early weeks, breast-feeding can bring tears in your eyes. Your nipples might become hard and develop cracks. Sometimes the milk ducts get clogged because of which you might develop Mastitis. It is a painful infection of the breast. A new mother usually produces a lot of milk which make her breasts big. Nursing mothers also have to change their lifestyle. They have to wear front open clothes so that it is easier for them to feed anywhere, anytime. You might have to avoid some foods that do not suit your baby. A working mother has to pump out the milk in a good enough quantity for the baby to have it later. It depends upon the number of hours that she is going to be away.

Do not supplement your breast-fed baby's diet with formula unless your doctor recommends it. Extra feeding with your formula can interfere with your breast milk production and may lead to early weaning.