If you are having a baby soon, the subject of breastfeeding has certainly come up. There are many advantages that should be considered before you make a decision. Knowing how best to provide for your infant is of the utmost importance. Breast milk is specifically designed to provide the exact nutrients your baby needs. Nature designed mother's milk to be the most nutritious source of food for your growing baby. Although modern formula is a good substitute for those mothers's who can't breastfeed, nothing will ever be as good as the real thing.

Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight not only infections but things like diabetes and SIDS, A recent study shows that out of 87 deaths from SIDS only 3 of those deaths were breastfed babies. The antibodies in breast milk also protect against allergies, prevents ear infections and respiratory illnesses.

Nursing promotes natural growth of facial features, promotes better speech and helps encourage the developing teeth to come in straight. The risk of tooth decay is lessened because the sugar content of breast milk is lower and does not adhere to the teeth in the same way formula does.

Breastfed babies bond with their mothers in a special way. The emotional connection established between a nursing baby and its mother is extraordinary.

Studies show that breastfed babies are at a lower risk for childhood obesity. It has been shown that the amount of fat cells formed in infancy have a direct correlation to obesity later in life. Breastfed babies tend to develop fewer fat cells and maintain a healthy weight.

Breastfed babies are hospitalized as much as 10 times less then formula fed babies. Because of the antibodies passed on thru the mother's milk, breastfed babies are less prone to develop serious infections or catch viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea necessitating hospitalization.

Breastfed babies tend to have higher IQ's because the specific proteins in mother's milk promote brain development. The proteins in formula are not specific to the human infant like those contained in breast milk.

Breastfeeding also has many advantages for the mother. Breastfeeding immediately after birth causes contractions that control postpartum bleeding, reduces the risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers and reduces the risk of anemia. Mothers who breastfeed return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster because their bodies burn more calories in the production of milk. Breastfeeding is economical because it eliminates the need to buy expensive formula and bottles.

Breastfeeding has many advantages to both the mother and child. If you are pregnant or plan to be in the future, breastfeeding is an option to be seriously considered.