Reasons to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is beneficial for both mothers and babies. Here you will find compelling reasons to breastfeed your baby.

Benefits to Baby

Breastfeeding is the most natural and nutritious way to encourage your baby's development. Research shows that breastfed infants have fewer illnesses and milder effects when illness does occur. Studies show that breastfed babies have fewer ear and diarrheal infections. Breastfed preterm babies tend to have a higher IQ than their formula-fed peers. Breastfeeding offers babies emotional security because the skin-to-skin contact assists in reducing the stress babies experience as they enter the world from the safety of the womb. The activity of sucking at the breast while breastfeeding enhances the baby's development of oral muscles and facial bones. Breastfed babies are less likely to develop respiratory infections, childhood diabetes and childhood lymphoma. Babies who are breastfed for less than six months have seven times the incidence of allergies as those who are breastfed longer than six months. Babies who are breastfed are 10 times less likely to be admitted to the hospital during the first year. Breastfeeding for one year or longer reduces the risk of diabetes by 50%. Babies who are exclusively breastfed for at least six months have a reduced risk of cancer before the age of 15. Breastfed babies are one-third less likely to die of SIDS. Breastfed children are four times less likely to contract the infections that cause meningitis. Vitamin A deficiency is reduced by breastfeeding. Both infants and mothers with genetic conditions can reap the benefits of breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breast Milk

Neither the nutrients found in breast milk nor the special benefits these nutrients provide can be duplicated by any supplement. Colostrum is the perfect starter food for babies. It is found in breasts during pregnancy and begins to change into mature milk a few days after baby's birth. Colostrum provides baby with an unmatched immunity against bacteria and viruses. Colostrum acts as a natural laxative for clearing baby's intestine, thus decreasing chances of jaundice. Breast milk is a unique combination of fats, sugars, minerals, proteins, vitamins and enzymes -- all customized to promote brain and body growth for an infant. Breast milk is always fresh, perfectly clean, just the right temperature, instantly available and the most nutritious feeding system for the lowest cost.

Benefits to Mother

The ongoing production of milk in the mother burns calories, helping in weight loss after pregnancy. The milk-producing hormone, prolactin, is a wonderful by-product of breastfeeding. Called the "mothering hormone," prolactin has a relaxing effect on mother and stimulates maternal instincts. Women who breastfeed reduce their chances of pre-menopausal breast cancer, cervical cancer and osteoporosis. Breastfeeding demands lower expenditures of mom's energy than does artificial feeding. For every 1000 babies born in the U.S. each year, four die because they are not breastfed.