Human milk is the only substance available to provide complete nutrition and immunologic protection to the infant. Infants receiving human milk have immediate, sustained and lifelong positive effects in their lives. Benefits of human lactation are physical and psychological for the lactating woman. Additionally, lactation and breastfeeding have the potential to save money for families, tax payers, employers, and the healthcare system.
Best for Baby:
Research shows that breastfed infants have fewer and shorter episodes of illness.
Breastfeeding is the most natural and nutritious way to encourage your baby’s optimal development.
Colostrum (the first milk) is a gentle, natural laxative that helps clear baby’s intestine, decreasing the chance for jaundice to occur.
The superior nutrition provided by breast milk benefits your baby’s IQ.
Breastfeeding is a gentle way for newborns to transition to the world outside the womb.
The skin-to-skin contact encouraged by breastfeeding offers babies greater emotional security and enhances bonding.
The activity of sucking at the breast enhances development of baby’s oral muscles, facial bones, and aids in optimal dental development.
Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of obesity and hypertension.
Breastfeeding delays the onset of hereditary allergic disease, and lowers the risk of developing allergic disease.
Breastfeeding helps the baby’s immune system mature, protecting the baby in the meantime from viral, bacteria, and parasitic infections.
Breastfeeding increases the effectiveness of immunizations, increasing the protection against polio, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccines.
Breastfeeding protects against developing chronic diseases such as: celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and childhood cancers.
The benefits of breastfeeding appear to last even after the baby has been weaned.
Best for Mother:
Breast milk is always fresh, perfectly clean, just the right temperature, and is the healthy choice at the least cost!
Increased levels of oxytocin stimulate postpartum uterine contractions, minimizing blood loss and encouraging rapid uterine toning.
From 3 months to 12 months postpartum, breastfeeding increases the rate of weight loss in most nursing mothers.
Breastfeeding offers some protection against the early return of fertility.
Because breastfed babies are healthier, their mothers miss less work and spend less time and money on pediatric care.
Breastfeeding women report psychological benefits such as increased self-confidence and a stronger sense of connection with their babies.
