Breastmilk is Best!
Breastfeeding facts
(Courtesy of El Cajon WIC office)
BREASTMILK IS BEST FOR INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN:
Reduces risk of allergic reactions
provides human babies with the most easily digested food
Promotes healthy growth and development
Causes better craniofacial development, straighter teeth and fewer speech impediments
protects against cancer and diabetes
Transmits mother's immunities
Leads to fewer ear and respiritory infections
May protect against crib death (SIDS)
Yeilds health benefits that last a lifetime
Changes throughout the feed and also throughout the duration of nursing to meet the babies' specific needs at a given time.
BREASTFEEDING IS BEST FOR MOTHERS: Releases prolactin: the calming "mothering" hormone
May delay ovulation and mensruation
Protects against breast and overian cancer
Helps uterus get back to pre-pregnancy size and shape
Allows mothers to miss fewer work or school days due to baby's illness
Creates special time for mother-baby bonding
Spends less time preparing bottles
Permits mother to get more sleep at night(if baby shares the bed)
BREASTFEEDING IS BEST FOR FAMILIES:
Saves money
Leads to healthier baby and mother
Allows mother to spend more time with the entire family
Can offer a special bonding time for sibling s and fathers, too
Makes for easier travelling
BREASTFEEDING IS BEST FOR THE WORLD:
Provides a natural resource
Protects the environment: No packaging, no plastics, no waste
Yeilds a healthier work force for the future
Offers an answer to world hunger and high infant mortality
Requires no storage or preservation
Saves tax dollars
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