5 Facts About Breastfeeding You May Not Know

Brandy McDowell -April 18, 2022

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural practices for a mother. Our bodies were created for the process. Did you know that babies are comforted by a mother’s breast milk, even if not coming directly from her breast?

There are many facts about breastfeeding that mothers aren’t aware of and are valuable to know.

Here are 5 facts about breastfeeding that may surprise you.

1.     Black mothers are less likely to breastfeed their babies and face the most challenges. 64% of Black mothers start out breastfeeding for up to 6.5 weeks. This short time is due to a return to work, lack of access to resources, and professional support.

2.     Colostrum is the milk produced by female mammals (not just women) immediately after giving birth. It’s nutrient-rich and filled with immune-boosting agents to support the newborns health. Another fun fact about colostrum, it’s sold in stores.

3.     Breastmilk contains serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that the body uses to send messages throughout our nervous system. It can shift moods, emotions, appetite and is often called the happy chemical because of this. It puts babies to sleep due to the quantity contained in breastmilk. A game-changer!

4.     It helps prevent postpartum depression. The hormones released during the process are said to release that unexplained happy feeling you sometimes get derived from the release of oxytocin. When you feel good it leaves little room for depression.

5.     Lastly, most people think that the bonding aspect of breastfeeding only comes from the skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby. However, newborn’s vision is fragile, and they can only see in focus 8 to 5 inches away from their face so they can see you clearly while breastfeeding. That is, if they haven’t already fallen asleep. 

These are only some of the facts about breastfeeding out there, but these facts display the importance of breastfeeding. It can be a challenging process. In the end, it’s what is best for mother and baby and worth considering.