Why is breastfeeding so important?

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beneficial acts a mother can do for her
child. Dramatic health benefits have been proven to pass from mother to child through
breast milk from antibodies which protect an infant at birth...to the exclusive nutrients
in mother's milk which have been shown to prevent a number of childhood
diseases...the benefits are incalculable. There is no other single action by which a
mother can so impact the present and future health of her baby.


Yet, in today's society, breastfeeding is often thought of as unnecessary. Young
mothers are mistakenly led to believe that formula does very well as a replacement for
breastmilk. t emphaticaIIy does not! Nothing can duplicate the properties of
breastmilk, no matter how many vitamins, minerals and supplements are added to what
is basically a chemical formulation.

Breastmilk remains the one and only natural, complete and complex nutrition for
human infants. t is nature's formula for ensuring the health and quality of life for
infants, as well as on through childhood to adult life. Just as importantly, breastfeeding
promotes a very special bond between mother and child that only a mother can provide.

To fully understand the benefits of breastfeeding, these are some of the major, but
by no mean all of the benefits of breastfeeding your baby.
Breastfeeding Facts
Health Benefits to Babies Who Breastfeed

O Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies
O The varying composition of breastmilk keeps pace with the infant's individual
growth and changing nutritional needs
O Have fewer incidences of vomiting and diarrhea in the
O Protection against gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis
O Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets
O Reduced risk of childhood diabetes
O Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis,
kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning),
O Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease
O Reduced risk of SDS (sudden infant death syndrome), Statistics reveal that for
every 87 deaths from SDS, only 3 are breastfed.
O Protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn's disease
and ulcerative enterocolitis
O Decreased risk of tooth decay (cavities)
O Nursing promotes facial structure development, enhanced speech, straighter
teeth and enhances vision.
O Breastfed infants develop higher Q's, and have improved brain and nervous
system development; Q 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))
O Reduced risk of heart disease later in life
O ncreased bone density
O Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional and spiritual development
of babies
O Breastfed babies enjoy a special warm bonding and emotional relationship with
their mothers
O Antibody response to vaccines are higher
O Are hospitalized 10 times less than formula fed infants in the first year of life
O The colostrum (first milk) coats the G tract, preventing harmful bacteria and
allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby's blood
O Decreased risk for vitamin E and ron deficiency anemia
O Decreased risk for acute appendicitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inguinal hernia,
pyloric stenosis
O There are factors in human milk that destroy E coli, salmonella, shigella,
streptococcus, pneumococcus....and many others
O Less risk of childhood obesity

Health Benefits to Moms Who Breastfeed

O Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers
O Reduced risk of anemia
O Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
O Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been
associated with total time of lactation
O 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.
O Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies
O Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child
O Breastmilk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of
dollars/per year)
O Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor
office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and
hospitalizations
O Moms miss less time off from work due to child related illnesses
O Helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding







ow to breastfeed properIy


Start by placing your nipple
between your baby's upper lip
and nose (higher than
pictured here), then
encourage her to open wide
by gently brushing her upper
lip with your nipple. Another
option is to brush your baby's
cheek with your nipple, which
will cause her to turn toward it
with her mouth open.



When your baby is "rooting"
(looking for the breast with her
mouth open), pull her to your
breast (rather than bringing
your breast to her mouth).



As your baby latches on, you
want her to get a big mouthful
of breast tissue. The best way
to do this is with an
"asymmetric latch," which
means that she gets more
breast tissue on the underside
of the areola, rather than an
equal amount all around.



Your baby's lips should be
opened wide around the
breast. The best latch is one
in which you don't feel any
pain and your baby is getting
milk. (Listen for the sound of
your baby swallowing.) f
latch-on hurts, break the
suction by inserting your
little finger between your
baby's gums and your breast
and try again.



As your baby nurses
contentedly, hold her close.
You may also want to support
your breast, especially if your
breasts are large.



Getting comfortable with
breastfeeding takes time for
you and your baby. Don't be
discouraged. Once you and
your baby are in sync,
breastfeeding can be a
beautiful experience.
Burping helps to get rid of some of the air that babies tend to swallow during feeding. n
some babies, not being burped frequently and too much swallowed air can lead to
spitting up, crankiness, and gassiness.
ow to Burp Your Baby
When burping your baby, repeated gentle patting on your baby's back should do the
trick there's no need to pound hard. To prevent messy cleanups when your baby
spits up or has a "wet burp," you might want to place a towel or bib under your baby's
chin or on your shoulder.
Try experimenting with different positions for burping that are comfortable for you and
your baby. Many parents prefer to use one of these three methods:
1. Sit upright and hoId your baby against your chest. Your baby's chin should rest
on your shoulder as you support the baby with one hand. With the other hand, gently
pat your baby's back. Sitting in a rocking chair and gently rocking with your baby
while you do this may also help.
2. oId your baby sitting up, in your Iap or across your knee. Support your baby's
chest and head with one hand by cradling your baby's chin in the palm of your hand
and resting the heel of your hand on your baby's chest (but be careful to grip your
baby's chin, not throat). Use the other hand to pat your baby's back gently.
3. Lay your baby on your Iap on his or her beIIy. Support your baby's head and
make sure it's higher than his or her chest. Gently pat your baby's back.
f your baby seems fussy while feeding, stop the session, burp your baby, and then
begin feeding again. Try burping your baby every 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 milliliters) if
you bottle-feed and each time you switch breasts if you breastfeed.
f your baby tends to be gassy, spits a lot, has gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), or seems fussy during feeding, try burping your baby every ounce during
bottle-feeding or every 5 minutes during breastfeeding. f your baby doesn't burp after a
few minutes, change the baby's position and try burping for another few minutes before
feeding again. Always burp your baby when feeding time is over.
For the first 6 months or so, keep your baby in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes
(or longer if your baby spits up or has GERD) after feeding to help prevent the milk from
coming back up. But don't worry if your baby spits sometimes. t's probably more
unpleasant for you than it is for your baby.