I just want to take a second to educate anybody who doesn't already know about a subject that I am quite familiar with-Breastfeeding. I chose to breastfeed Charlie because it seemed the most natural to me and because I knew it was good for you, at 13 months she's still getting most of her nourishment from nursing and I don't see any end in sight. I am always shocked at how many women choose NOT to breastfeed their kids even though they are perfectly able to (i.e. they think its gross, inconvenient, etc.) so I just want to remind you all of a FEW of the benefits to breastfeeding your infants and toddlers..enjoy!
benefits to the baby include:
Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies
The varying composition of breastmilk keeps pace with the infant's individual growth and changing nutritional needs
Have fewer incidences of vomiting and diarrhea in the US (20-35 million episodes of diarrhea occur in children under the age of 5, resulting in over 200,000 hospitalizations and 400-500 deaths in the U.S.)
Protection against gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis
Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets
Reduced risk of childhood diabetes
Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning),
Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease
Reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Statistics reveal that for every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed.
Protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn's disease and ulcerative entercolits
Decreased risk of tooth decay (cavities)
Nursing promotes facial structure development, enhanced speech, straighter teeth and enhances vision.
Breastfed infants develop higher IQ's, and have improved brain and nervous system development; IQ advantage of 10-12 points studied at ages 8, 12, and 18. (Breastfeeding is considered the 4th trimester in brain growth and development...there are specific proteins in human milk that promote brain development))
Reduced risk of heart disease later in life
Increased bone density
Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional and spiritual development of babies
Breastfed babies enjoy a special warm bonding and emotional relationship with their mothers
Antibody response to vaccines are higher
Are hospitalized 10 times less than formula fed infants in the first year of life
The colostrum (first milk) coats the GI tract, preventing harmful bacteria and allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby's blood
Decreased risk for vitamin E and Iron deficiency anemia
Decreased risk for acute appendicitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inguinal hernia, pyloric stenosis
There are factors in human milk that destroy E coli, salmonella, shigella, streptococcus, pneumococcus....and many others
Less risk of childhood obesity
Benefits to the mother include:
Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers
Reduced risk of anemia
Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation
Helps the mother's body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss...1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores... can burn from 500 - 1,500 calories per day.
Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies
Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child
Breastmilk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of dollars/per year)
Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and hospitalizations
Moms miss less time off from work due to child related illnesses
Helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding
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