There are so many decisions to be made concerning your new baby. Whether to breastfeed or use a bottle is one of them. When making your choice, consider the benefits of breastfeeding.

Breastfed babies receive a large amount of nutritional and health benefits. They have lower rates of hospitalizations, ear infections, rashes and allergies. They also have better vaccine protection, meaning a higher response to immunizations. This is due to the transfer of the mothers antibodies through milk.

All of babys nutritional needs will be met. There are one hundred ingredients in breast milk not found in formula. Breast milk contains fatty acids, lactose, water and amino acids that are essential. These, among other nutrients aid in digestion, brain development and growth. It also promotes good jaw development. Breastfed babies also have a lower amount of trips to the dentist when they are older.

Babies tend to have virtually no allergic reactions to breast milk.

What about the psychological benefits? Touch is so very important to any human, especially a newborn. With breastfeeding, there is skin on skin contact, whereas a bottle fed baby may not be touched by anything other than a hard plastic or glass bottle. Time spent between a breast fed baby and its mother aids in bonding. Baby gets an early sense of attachment, security and warmth.

These are but a few of the multitude of positive outcomes from breastfeeding. Many studies have been done and the results are strongly in favor of breastfeeding over bottle feeding. It is healthier for baby both physically and mentally.