Benefits
Benefits of Breastmilk
- The nutrients found in breastmilk and the special benefits these nutrients provide cannot be copied by formula.
- A mother's first milk is the perfect starter food for babies. It is made in breasts during pregnancy and begins to change into mature milk a few days after the baby is born. Colostrum is like baby's first immunization.
- Colostrum acts as a natural laxative.
- Not only is breastmilk a unique combination of fats, sugars, minerals, proteins, vitamins and enzymes -- all customized to promote brain and body growth for an infant – breastmilk changes to meet the baby's growing needs.
- Breastmilk is always fresh, perfectly clean, just the right temperature, instantly available and the most natural and nutritious food for the human baby at the lowest cost.
Breastfeeding offers benefits for baby, mom, and the community.
Benefits to Baby
- Research shows that breastfed babies are sick less often and when they do get sick they aren't as sick.
- Babies who are breastfed are 10 times less likely to be hospitalized during the first year.
- Breast milk can be your baby's first immunization because it has antibodies that can protect your baby's health.
- Breastfed babies are less likely to develop respiratory infections, childhood diabetes, and childhood lymphoma.
- Breastfed children are four times less likely to get the infections that cause meningitis.
- Studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to have ear infections, colic, diarrhea and other childhood illnesses.
- Breastfeeding for at least 6 months reduces the likelihood of childhood obesity.
- Breastfeeding for one year or longer reduces the risk of diabetes by 50%.
- Breastfed babies have better seeing and hearing.
- Babies who are breastfed for less than six months have a higher chance of getting allergies than those who are breastfed longer than six months.
- Babies who are exclusively breastfed for at least six months have a reduced risk of lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before the age of 15.
- Vitamin A deficiency is reduced by breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding is the most natural and nutritious way to encourage your baby's development.
- Breastfed preterm babies tend to have measurably higher IQ than formula-fed babies. Breastfed babies have better brain/nervous system development.
- Breastfed babies have a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
- Breastfeeding lessens the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure later in life.
- 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 improves the baby's development of mouth muscles and facial bones.
- Babies who are breastfed have fewer learning disabilities.
- Babies with genetic conditions can benefit from breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is the healthy choice for your baby
- As your baby grows, your breast milk changes to meet the baby's growing needs.
- Breast milk is 100% natural and contains all the nutrients your baby needs.
- Doctors advise feeding your baby only breast milk for the first six months.
Benefits for Mom
Breastfeeding is also healthy for mom.
Money saver
Breast milk is free! Formula costs $1,500 to $2,000 per child in the first year.
Time saver
Breast milk is always ready!
Good for you
- Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
- Breastfeeding helps the uterus shrink to the way it was before pregnancy and it reduces the amount of blood loss after delivery.
- Breastfeeding mothers usually resume their menstrual cycles 20-30 weeks later than formula-feeding mothers.
Special time
Breastfeeding provides a special bond between you and your baby.
Communities Benefit When Babies are Breastfed
- It is estimated that $2.16 billion annually would be saved because of less illness and disease countrywide.
- $3 billion annually would be saved from household expenses because of the reduced costs of formula purchasing and decreases in health care expenditures nationwide.
- Breastfeeding reduces healthcare costs to families, employers and government by reducing the number and severity of childhood illnesses.
- Breastfeeding is good for the environment: No formula containers and other related items to throw away.
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Fresno County Department of Public Health Public Health Nursing Division www.fresnohumanservices.com/communityhealth/ |
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