| According to the American Academy of | | | | ovarian cancers (Radetsky, 1999) and in the long |
| Pediatrics, breast milk helps protect your baby | | | | term may reduce a woman's risk of osteoporosis |
| from: | | | | by increasing bone strength. |
| Allergies - Eczema Bacterial Meningitis - Juvenile | | | | Benefits to Society |
| Diabetes Crohn's Disease - Respiratory Infections | | | | Because breastfed babies are generally healthier |
| Diaper Rash - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome | | | | than formula-fed babies, they require fewer |
| Diarrhea - Urinary Tract Infections Ear Infections | | | | expensive medications, doctor visits, medical |
| (American Academy of Pediatrics, 1997) | | | | tests, and hospital stays. Costs to the federal and |
| Benefits to Baby | | | | state governments could be reduced by billions of |
| Mother's milk provides complete and valuable | | | | taxpayer dollars if we had more breastfed |
| nutrients for baby's ideal growth and development. | | | | babies-and this estimate does not factor in "lost |
| It's rich in antibodies for protection against | | | | work time" by parents who stay home to care |
| diseases, proteins for growth, and carbohydrates, | | | | for a sick child (Riordan, 1997). |
| fats, and minerals for brain and nervous system | | | | From an environmental standpoint breastfeeding |
| development. | | | | requires fewer natural resources in the form of |
| Some studies even indicate mother's milk | | | | glass, aluminum, paper, and plastic for packaging |
| enhances cognitive development (American | | | | plus the products required to prepare and provide |
| Academy of Pediatrics, 1997) and reduces the | | | | baby formula. |
| risk of childhood obesity (von Kries, 1999). | | | | A special Time |
| Since its inception, the American Academy of | | | | This is a very special time for you and your baby. |
| Pediatrics has been a staunch advocate of | | | | You're forming emotional bonds that will last a |
| breastfeeding as the optimal form of nutrition for | | | | lifetime and offering your baby the healthiest |
| infants, with artificial milk (formula) a very distant | | | | combination of nutrients possible-an ideal way to |
| second alternative. The American Lung | | | | start life. Although you'll be very focused on your |
| Association states that babies who are breastfed | | | | newborn, it's also important that you consider |
| for at least four months are less likely than | | | | your own needs. In the long run, that will benefit |
| formula-fed babies to develop asthma, the leading | | | | both you and your baby. For instance, try to rest |
| cause of childhood hospital stays in the United | | | | when your baby rests rather than catching up on |
| States and Australia (Kaufman, 1999). | | | | housework or laundry. The extra rest will help |
| Benefits to Mother | | | | elevate your attitude, complete your postpartum |
| Babies aren't the only ones who benefit from | | | | recovery, and help establish your milk supply. Limit |
| breastfeeding. Mothers who breastfeed lose | | | | visits from neighbors and friends and simplify the |
| weight more quickly after giving birth and their | | | | activities of daily living as much as you can to |
| postpartum bleeding is usually lessened when | | | | reduce the stress level. Although you're thinking of |
| compared to mothers who do not breastfeed. | | | | your child's nutrition, don't neglect your own. Eat a |
| Oxytocin, a hormone released during | | | | well-balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids. If |
| breastfeeding, helps shrink the uterus and return it | | | | possible, try to take a walk or occasionally |
| to pre-pregnancy size. The hormones released | | | | schedule some stretching or aerobic |
| with breastfeeding act as a type of contraceptive | | | | exercises-with your doctor's approval. It's amazing |
| to delay ovulation and fertility (American | | | | how much better you'll feel with a little time to |
| Academy of Pediatrics, 1997). In addition, | | | | yourself. If you experience mood swings, which |
| breastfeeding activates a calming effect through | | | | are normal after giving birth, reach out for |
| the release of the hormone prolactin, which | | | | support. Call another mother, join a peer group of |
| increases mother-baby bonding while initiating and | | | | new, breastfeeding mothers, or talk to a lactation |
| maintaining milk production. | | | | consultant or member of La Leche League |
| Some studies even indicate that breastfeeding | | | | International (LLLI). |
| may reduce the incidence of breast, uterine and | | | | |