August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. And, although we think that we have heard and learned it all about breastfeeding, according to an interview with the experts via Romper.com, there’s always more to learn. Here are some things that you may not know about breastfeeding!
Moms who are breastfeeding tend to sleep more.
Don’t feel guilty about taking those few extra minutes of zzz’s. They are needed! According to the experts, breastfeeding mothers get and extra 45 minutes of sleep every night according to the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing. Per an additional study in the Clinical Lactation journal, researchers found that breastfeeding mothers get 6.61 hours of sleep per night as opposed to non-breastfeeding mothers.
Breastfeeding mothers miss less work.
As a result of the health benefits for both mother and child, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, breastfeeding moms aren’t calling in sick and are on the job!
Breastfeeding can save you $$$!
Breastfeeding can save you anywhere from an estimated $1,200 to $1,500 during the first year of your baby’s life according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Although, it isn’t quite free, some purchases are required such as nursing bras, pumps, etc., breastfeeding will unquestionably help you keep some money in the bank.
Breasts don’t produce milk equally.
According to KellyMom.com, thanks to the natural asymmetry of our bodies, one breast may produce milk a bit more than the other. The asymmetry of our bodies causes variances between your left and right breast tissue, ducts, and alveoli. So, know that not matter which side you nurse from, it is natural that one will yield a little more than the other.
Extended breastfeeding has benefits!
CNN reported on a study linking higher IQs and income to extended breastfeeding.
“The most important impact health-wise in extended breastfeeding beyond a year of age is the maturation of the intestinal wall and microbiome development,” one of the experts, Ashley Georgakopoulos, Motif Medical lactation director and IBCLC, told Romper. “Breast milk stabilizes the pH of the gut and protects the lining, allowing good bacteria to thrive for a healthy immune system and to decrease internal inflammation.”
In some cases, you can breastfeed when you are sick.
“If sick and feeling symptoms, baby has already been exposed to the illness,” Georgakopoulos told Romper. “Breastfeeding actually protects by providing the specific antibodies needed, giving the baby and his or her immature immune system a fighting chance.”
Just think, you are passing on the antibodies that baby needs to be healthy!
If you are curious and want to read more truly interesting facts about breastfeeding, click here!
