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APRIL, 2008 NEWS
BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
April is Virginia Women and Girls Wellness
Month, so this article will address an important health issue that
affects mothers and their babies – breastfeeding.
The most valuable gift you can give your newborn is your own source
of total nutrition – breast milk. Following is some excellent
information obtained from www.4women.gov about breastfeeding:
Health Risks of Not Breastfeeding
Breast milk has agents (called antibodies) in it to help protect
infants from bacteria and viruses. Recent studies show that babies who are
not exclusively breastfed for 6 months are more likely to develop a wide
range of infectious diseases including ear infections, diarrhea, and
respiratory illnesses and have more hospitalizations. Also, infants who
are not breastfed have a 21% higher post-neonatal infant mortality rate in
the
Some studies suggest that infants who are not breastfed have higher
rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the first year of life,
and higher rates of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, lymphoma, leukemia,
Hodgkin's disease, overweight and obesity, high cholesterol and asthma.
More research in these areas is needed (
Babies who are not breastfed are sick more often and have more
doctor's visits.
Also, when you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to
sterilize. Unlike human milk straight from the breast, infant formula has
a chance of being contaminated.
Benefits for Babies
Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A
mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein
that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it
easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.
As a result, breastfed infants grow exactly the way they should.
They tend to gain less unnecessary weight and to be leaner. This may
result in being less overweight later in life.
Premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature
babies who are fed formula.
Breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests, especially
babies who were born pre-maturely.
Benefits for Moms
Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds
of pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size
and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.
Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding (no supplementing
with formula), delays the return of normal ovulation and menstrual cycles.
(However, you should still talk with your doctor or nurse about birth
control choices.)
Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and
possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.
Breastfeeding makes your life easier. It saves time and money. You
do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. There are no bottles to
warm in the middle of the night!
A mother can give her baby immediate satisfaction by providing her
breast milk when her baby is hungry.
Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time for
herself and her baby.
Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby. Physical
contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm
and comforted.
Breastfeeding mothers may have increased self-confidence and
feelings of closeness and bonding with their infants.
Benefits for Society
Breastfeeding saves on health care costs. Total medical care costs
for the nation are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed
infants since breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits,
prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce.
Breastfeeding mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less
often. Employer medical costs also are lower and employee productivity is
higher.
Breastfeeding is better for our environment because there is less
trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and
bottle supplies.
For more information and a list of breastfeeding resources, visit http://www.4women.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=227.
FAVORITE HEALTH QUOTE
“Life is not living, but living in health.” -
Martial, Roman poet
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April 12
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FOR NURSING MOTHERS
Fenugreek increases milk production
Organic Mother’s Milk tea by Traditional Medicinals
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