Here are 15 Breastfeeding facts.
1-5 Breastfeeding Facts
1. Breastfeeding invokes in the mother the neurochemical oxytocin, otherwise known as the “love drug,” which helps to focus her attention and affection on her baby. – Source
2. A 2007 study found that men are more likely than women to believe “women should have the right to breastfeed in public places,” “it is appropriate to show a woman breastfeeding her baby on TV programs,” and “breastfeeding education should be available as part of a high school health education.” – Source
3. Breastfeeding was found to be the number one way to reduce preventable deaths of children worldwide. – Source
4. Breastfeeding not only has many traditionally known benefits, such as weight loss and maternal bonding but is also linked to a decrease in maternal risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. – Source
5. The hormones released when breastfeeding helps shrink the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size faster. – Source
6-10 Breastfeeding Facts
6. Breastfeeding women produce pheromones that increase sexual desire among other women. – Source
7. Humans secrete the same hormone during breastfeeding as they do when interacting with a dog, which is thought to promote bonding. – Source
8. Continuous breastfeeding is very effective birth control. It is known as the Lactational Amenorrhea Method or LAM. – Source
9. UK breastfeeding rates are the lowest in the world. – Source
10. Zoo officials got a breastfeeding support group to show a gorilla how to breastfeed after her first baby died as she didn’t know how to nurse. – Source
11-15 Breastfeeding Facts
11. Mothers pass tolerance for spicy food to babies during breastfeeding. – Source
12. Breastfeeding results in higher IQs for children. – Source
13. There’s an organization which encourages and educates on breastfeeding named La Leche League (Spanish for “The Milk League”). – Source
14. In Finland, all expectant parents are given a “baby box” by the government. The box contains supplies for the first few months and is often also used as a crib. No formula or bottles are provided, to encourage breastfeeding. – Source
15. There is a World Breastfeeding Week sponsored by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). – Source
For so many reasons, boobs are just the greatest.