Top 10 Reasons why BREAST is BEST

I know of some mothers who  gave up breastfeeding after weeks or months of trying.  Some moms quit because of unbearable pain when trying to latch. Some decided to stop breastfeeding when they returned to work. Some gave up after the frustration of very low pumping yield. For some, breastfeeding isn't even an option!

Even I and my siblings were not breastfed. I'm not really sure why  but during that time mothers seemed to be more focused on working and earning money to buy formula.   Tinanong ko ang nanay ko kung bakit hindi ako napasuso, sabi nya kasi kailangan nang magtrabo. Hindi ba weird kasi kumakayod ka para makabili ng gatas, eh ikaw mismo puedeng makagawa nito. Kailangan lang itong pagpursigehan!

It's as if being able to afford to buy formula was a status symbol?  So moms pumped milk and then dump it, unaware of what a great waste of liquid gold they're doing?

I want to spread the word on the benefits of breastfeeding, both for baby and mom.

Being able to breastfeed empowers women, making them confident and secure, knowing that come hell or high water, you can sufficiently feed baby!!!

This post is also for future moms contemplating about breastfeeding.

I hope this helps you make a wise and informed choice!

Once you've made the decision to breastfeed, any challenge can be overcome with flying colors!

Mind you, it's not easy!  I'm sure most moms doubt whether or not she can produce enough breast milk for baby's daily consumption. But with will power and a lot of patience and effort, these doubts will fade.

Here's a list of breastfeeding benefits. With this, i hope i can  recruit breastfeeding moms!

Breast milk has antibodies. 

•  Formula companies often brag about added nutrients in the milk like DHA-AHA, lutein, "brain boosters" , etc but no formula can ever replicate the antibodies from a mom’s own milk.


• Sick moms (of common colds and flu) may breastfeed and then pass on to their babies antibodies, making their babies less prone to colds and flu! Can formula do that?

It’s free! 

• Need I say more? Syempre aminado ako na dahil LIBRE kaya talagang nagpursige din ako na magpasuso. Data from Unicef  shows that a Pinoy family spends P4,000 per month to formula feed an  infant. Oh diba, may dagdag na P 4,000 na budget na para sa ibang gastos sa bahay!!


• But it’s true that a working mom needs to spend on some breastfeeding essentials, like a reliable breast pump and breast milk containers. Working moms need these supplies to store pumped milk. An electric breast pump helped me a lot in maintaining milk supply after returning to work.  These expenses are still worth it, considering the benefits your baby gets from your milk.

Breastfeeding encourages special bonding between mom and baby. 

• Breastfeeding encourages frequent skin-to-skin contact. Sabi nga ng mga tita ko, mas malambing ang mga batang pinapasuso,  kasi mas madalas nilang nararamdaman ang init at yakap ng mga nanay nila.  My husband was breastfed until three years old. True, I can see the deep bond he has with his mother. How I wish P and I could have the same mother-son bonding!

It’s a handy tool to sooth baby’s woes! 

• Baby often wakes up in the middle of the night, sometimes crying. My solution is to let him nurse back to sleep. It’s a fool-proof way of soothing my baby.

Breastfeeding has long term benefits on babies.

• Breastfed babies are rarely hospitalized. Some studies even show  positive effects later on in your baby's life. A WHO study  showed long-term effects of breastfeeding may include lower blood pressure and cholesterol, higher intelligence and less risk for diabetes.  

No milk allergies from breast milk.

• I’m glad I did not have to go through the trouble of trying out formula from formula to see which one is compatible with baby. I have read about some baby's reactions to formula, including diarrhea and rashes if fed with incompatible milk products. Breast milk is "tailor-made" for your baby so you won't have to worry about any allergic reactions.

There's less risk for contamination when you feed breast milk.

• One  of the most shocking consumer stories I know is about the tainted milk in China. I was really shocked and angered by how some business owners would risk the lives of innocent babies by adding melamine to milk just to increase the milk's protein content. All in the name of profit?!! I’m glad my baby has unlimited access to pure, unadulterated human milk. With formula, you never really know the processes it has to undergo before the product reaches your baby's mouth.


• True, contamination is still possible especially if you use bottles to feed him expressed milk. So make sure to wash hands carefully before handling breast milk. Also wash hands when directly breastfeeding baby.

It’s convenient.

• No need to carry bottles, sterilizing tools, bottler cleaners, bottle brush etc, just lift your shirt and snap off your bra and viola.... ready to feed baby na!! Aside from tools needed to feed baby when formula feeding, you will be in constant need of access to clean water to dilute the milk.


• Feeding baby at night is easier, if you learn the side-lying breastfeeding position. You won't have to get up in the middle of the night to prepare baby's bottle of formula.


• Some women cringe about the idea of breastfeeding in public for risks of exposing her boobs. To avoid unwanted exposure, just use a simple shawl, a flowy blouse or a nursing cover so you can breastfeed incognito.

Getting back in shape is faster for moms who breastfeed. 

• Even moms benefit from breastfeeding! After pregnancy the uterus gets back to its normal size much faster if mom is nursing.  According to the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting", milk production burns 500 calories per day. So that means the excess weight you gained while pregnant will be lost much faster when breastfeeding.

Mama’s breasts are not just for aesthetics, these are mama’s milk-making machine!

• I've proven that these twins in deed have a special and meaningful purpose - that’s to feed your nurslings. As a teenager, i had trouble accepting my body image, being full busted and all...  But after breastfeeding, i've realized these mammaries' REAL purpose. Breast milk is the single most NATURAL and PERSONAL WAY to feed baby. 

Who would not want to see this face ---- this face that seems fully satistied and thankful after another great meal?

[caption id="attachment_103" align="aligncenter" width="300"] P fully satisfied after breastfeeding[/caption]

Again, i'd like to emphasize that breastfeeding is not the end-all or be all of motherhood. Formula feeding does not mean you're a bad mom. I'm also not saying breastfeeding moms are better moms. The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. Moms should not be pressured to nurse, nor should they be judged if they decide to formula feed the baby.

To breastfeed is a decision you have to make from day one after baby's birth! Your patience  and will power shall be tested. Your tolerance for pain shall reach its limits, but at the end of the day, the joy  and pride of providing the best milk  there is shall be your reward.

Also worth reading:

• Why breastfeed during disasters


• Getting ready to breastfeed: Tips from a (non)expert

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