Breast milk contains many nutrients and natural immunity that can't be duplicated in formulas. Provided you eat a well-balanced diet, your baby will get all the nutrients needed from your milk. Breast-fed babies tend to be constipated less often because breast milk is easier to digest. They also don't have diarrhea as often, and their bowel movements don't have as much odor. Breast feeding also provides the baby with antibodies that help fight infection and offers a special closeness between mother and child.
Breast milk is also more economical.
Breast feeding can be inconvenient, however, especially for working mothers, but milk can be expressed with a breast pump. This alternative gives others a chance to feed the baby. When breast feeding, everything a mother eats and drinks will affect the baby, so you may want to consult your health care provider before taking medication or drinking alcohol. Although there are advantages to breast feeding, new mothers should not feel guilty if it is not the choice for them. For more information on breast feeding, talk with your health care provider.