Breastfeeding is praised for giving newborns the best possible start in life, but did you know there are many facts about breast milk that surprise many new parents?
Here is a list of lesser known figures, numbers and statistics about breastfeeding:
1.Packed With Protein
Breast milk contains an incredible 415 individual proteins, making it extremely beneficial to infant growth and development.
2.Burn Extra Calories
It takes around 1000 calories each day to produce breast milk. This equates to a Premium Crispy Club Sandwich with medium-sized fries at McDonald’s, or walking seven miles. It is advised mothers consume an additional 500 calories per day to sustain the body.
3.Saves You Money
By choosing breastfeeding instead of formula, a family will be able to save between $2,000 to $4,000 annually.
4.Catch More Zzz’s
Mothers who breastfeed sleep 45 minutes more each night compared to those who formula feed.
5.The Right Breasts Are More Productive
Regardless of whether they are right- or left-handed, almost 3 out of 4 moms produce more milk in their right breast.
6.Babies Do Not Empty The Breast
On average, babies only consume around 67% of the milk available in the breast when feeding, which is enough to make them full.
7.Mother’s Milk Is Customized
Breast milk is so great that it changes its nutritional profile as your baby grows to suit their needs. Milk produced for a 3 month old differs to what is produced for a 9 month old. Not only this, but breast milk can change daily. Water content may increase in hot weather to make sure your little one stays hydrated.
8.Reduces Risk of Cancer and Other Diseases
Research has found that breastfeeding reduces a woman’s risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer, heart disease, Type II diabetes and osteoporosis. The lengthier the breastfeeding time, the greater the benefit. Mothers who breastfeed for 8 years have close to 0% risk of developing breast cancer.
9.Decreases Baby’s Chances Too
Breastfeeding a baby girl lessens her lifetime risk of developing breast cancer by 25%.
10.Nursing Was Not A Popular Choice At One Stage
Nursing was least popular back in the 60’s and early 70’s, during which only around 1 in 4 mothers chose to breastfeed in the United States.
11.Exclusively Breastfed Babies
In 2011, around 75% of babies in U.S. were exclusively breastfed.
12.Six Months
This figure suddenly drops to 15% at six months.
13. Lower risk of SIDS
Infants who are breastfed are found to be at a lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the sudden unexplained death of a child less than one year of age.
14.Breast Size Doesn’t Affect Quantity
Breast size is irrelevant when it comes to the amount of breast milk a mom can produce.
15.People Pay A Lot For Breast Milk
The price of human milk on the Internet is $4 per ounce, around 262 times the price of oil.
16.A Mother’s Breasts Are Sensitive to Temperature Changes
A mother’s breasts are capable of detecting a fluctuation of even one degree in their baby’s body temperature, and will quickly adjust accordingly to warm or cool him or her as needed.
17.Reduce Cavities For Baby
Breastfeeding reduces a baby’s risk of developing cavities later on in life and may even lower the chance they will need braces when older.
18.Keep Breast Milk As Part of Baby’s Diet Even When Consuming Solids
As babies grow past 12 months and gradually consume more solid foods, breast milk remains an ideal addition to their diet. The World Organization recommends continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.
19.Natural Method of Birth Control
Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with a natural method of birth control of 98% protection in the first six months after birth.
20.Difficulties For Working Moms
A significant number of mothers who return to work abandon breastfeeding due to insufficient time, or a place to breastfeed, express and store their milk.
