No doubt about it, breastfeeding is the best alternative in feeding you child and in keeping him healthy and strong. Breast milk, according to experts contains fats, proteins and antibodies that will help protect your child from diseases and infections. It also provides enzymes that will help in your baby's digestion.

Yet, no matter how long the list of breast milk benefits are, there are still some who do not opt to do it because of time constraints and low milk production. Others combine breast milk and formula feeding. There is actually no disadvantage for breastfeeding. Instead, there are factors that prevent mothers from breastfeeding.
To know more of these benefits and contraindications of breastfeeding, read on.

Advantages:

1. Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight off infection such as otitis media and other respiratory problems including meningitis and bronchitis. It is also found to reduce the incidence and intensity of atopic diseases. Babies who breastfeed also tend to suffer from colds less frequently and they have fewer incidents of colic.

2. Contains nutrients such as vitamins and minerals plus enzyme that aid in digestion and prevents diarrhea

3. Gives protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as well as to sepsis in pre-term babies

4. High protein content aids in the development of the brain and may led to higher IQ, as mentioned by a study which claims that breastfeeding adds eight more points.

5. Breast milk is for free so that saves you so much money in formula milk spendings

6. It helps moms lose weight and go back to their original size before pregnancy.

7. It lowers the risk of developing pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancer for mothers

8. Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and child

9. It is also known to prevent post-natal depression

10. It is very convenient as it is readily available

11. Breast milk protects children from food allergies that they may develop

12. It helps the uterus go back to its original size.

Disadvantages

1. Blood-borne virus and other diseases may be passed on from parent to child through breastfeeding. Examples of these disease are Hepatitis B and of HIV. It is important then that mothers have a thorough check-up before breastfeeding.

2. Although breastfeeding strengthens the bond of mother and child, many point out to the exclusion of the father in the bond.

3. Babies who breastfeed need to be fed more often than a bay who drink formula milk.

4. breastfeeding can be really painful for the mother. Some even develop wounds and soreness in the nipples because of the sucking reflex that babies make.

5. Pumping milk can be a really hard task and also painful. It will also require a lot of expensive materials such as numerous bottles and pumps.

6. Babies who breastfeed sleep shorter hours than babies on formula milk. Therefore, there is lesser time for yourself and for your work.

7. There are times when milk is not just available. Some moms produce lesser milk than others. This is why there are mothers who opt to combine breastfeeding with formula milk because their milk is not enough to feed their baby.
8. Evidences of causing breast milk jaundice, a hormonal problem, dehydration and caries when done for more than a year.