Advantages of breastfeeding for mothers

Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts (i.e., via lactation) rather than from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. Most mothers can breastfeed for six months or more, without the addition of infant formula or solid food.

1. Breastfeeding is a cost effective way of feeding an infant, providing nourishment for a child at a small cost to the mother

2. Frequent and exclusive breastfeeding can delay the return of fertility through lactational amenorrhea.

3. Hormone release-Breastfeeding releases oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that relax the mother and make her feel more nurturing toward her baby. Breastfeeding soon  after giving birth increases the mother's  oxytocin levels, making her uterus  contract more quickly and reducing  bleeding.

4. Weight loss-Because breastfeeding uses an average of 500 calories a day it helps the mother lose weight after giving birth. However, weight loss is highly variable among lactating women; monitoring the diet and increasing the amount/intensity of exercise are more reliable ways of losing weight.

5. Less risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer

6.Breastfeeding diabetic mothers require less insulin

7.Reduced risk of post-partum bleeding.