What's the Big Deal with Breastfeeding?

Curious why the big hype about breastfeeding? After all, formula-feeding has been the norm for many years and we're all just fine, aren't we?


There are countless benefits to breastfeeding - both to you and your baby. My personal favorites include:

• formula feeding is fine (gasp!) and you're baby will grow to be a beautiful and healthy child. But breastmilk offers an incredible immunity-boost that no man-made formula can deliver. Nothing compares to mommy's antibodies.
• breastfeeding is cheaper, even if you are an Expressive Mom! See the real numbers in this post
• it's the easiest way to get back to pre-baby weight (breastfeeding burns 500 calories per day!). I've actually dropped a dress size from my pre-baby size - I eat like pig and haven't bothered with dieting or exercising, so it's definitely the breastfeeding.
• you may benefit from a reduced risk of breast cancer among at-risk women.  To be sure, there are MANY correlations for causes / prevention of breast cancer. Click to CNN Article
• you may also benefit from a reduced risk for uterine and ovarian cancers 

Plenty of articles out there on the benefits of breastfeeding ... some for the sampling:

7 Ways Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers - Ask Dr. Sears
Why Breastfeeding is Important - WomensHealth.gov
Benefits of Breastfeeding - Natural Resources Defense Council 
Your Guide to Breastfeeding - WebMD