Five Reasons Breast is Best
March 1st, 2009 by Ruth Munday
Breast milk is powerful.
Colostrum is the first milk your body makes after giving birth and is packed with antibodies. These help your baby develop immunities that protect against infection and other health complications. It also helps eye and brain development. Even if you don’t plan to breast-feed, you can still pump and give your baby a healthy start. Once you’ve given birth, ask for a lactation consultant, and begin nursing or pumping as soon as possible.
Breast milk is easily digested.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast-feeding only until 6 months of age and then continued breast-feeding with the addition of iron-rich baby foods. Moms also need support for breast-feeding during the first year. Breast milk offers perfect nutrition and changes to meet your baby’s growing needs.
Breast milk saves money.
Formula feeding for a year can cost more than $1,000; breast milk is free. Plus, the longer you breast-feed, the more benefits your baby receives. Even if you choose to pump and express your milk, the long term cost of a breast pump is still less than buying formula for a year. Check with a lactation consultant for advice on selecting the right breast pump for you.
Breast milk decreases health risks.
Breast-fed babies are at less risk for:
• Respiratory infections
(particularly Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV)
• Ear infections
• Dental caries
• Diarrhea
• Asthma
• Food allergies
• Colic
Breast-feeding makes you stronger.
Breast-feeding offers many advantages for moms, by:
• Helping the uterus to return to its normal size
• Reducing bleeding after giving birth
• Promoting healthy weight loss gained during pregnancy
• Lowering the risk of osteoporosis
• Lowering the risk of some forms of ovarian and breast cancer
• Providing built-in rest periods for new mothers
Ruth Munday is a lactation consultant with LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center