Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
Extensive research documents the compelling
advantages of breastfeeding for
infants, mothers, families and society. The American
Academy of Pediatrics reports that a mother's
milk is uniquely tailored for infant feeding.
Breast milk contains appropriate amounts of carbohydrates,
proteins and fats, and provides digestive enzymes,
minerals, vitamins and hormones that infants
need.
Health benefits for babies
Human milk is easy to digest. Breastfed babies spit up less often and have less diarrhea and constipation.
Babies who are breastfed for at least the first six months of life also benefit
from:
Health benefits for mothers
Moms who breastfeed find that it:
- Aids in returning the uterus to its normal size
- Reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancers
- Aids in gradual, healthy postpartum weight loss
- Reduces the risk of osteoporosis/hip fractures
Additional Benefits
- Convenient
- Environmentally friendly
- Economical
- Saves time
- Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome
Choosing how and what to feed your baby is a
personal decision that deserves careful and thorough
consideration. How and what a baby eats may ultimately
depend on the infant's physical condition
and the mother's health after birth. If
a mother decides to feed a baby formula as soon
as the baby is born, commercially prepared formulas
for bottle feeding are adequate sources of nutrition.
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