TEN TOP REASONS TO BREAST FEED

Ten Top Reasons to Breastfeed

The word is getting out! The benefits of breast feeding and breast milk are so important that almost all mothers are breastfeeding – at least for awhile. As more Canadians understand just how much of a difference breastfeeding makes to the health of their baby and the mother and what breastfeeding contributes to the whole family, more families are supporting mothers to breastfeed longer.

Research shows us that breast milk and breastfeeding are so important that it is the

only food your baby needs for about 6 months. About six months of age, other

nutritious foods can be given in addition to breastfeeding. Ideally, breastfeeding

continues until 2 years of age and beyond.

Understanding just how important breastfeeding is for you and

your baby may help you get through some of the common concerns.

Make sure your family and friends have this information too.

1. Early Protection
From birth, the early feedings of colostrum, the first milk, coats your baby’s entire digestive system (gut). This helps the right kind off bacteria grow and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria.These benefits of breastfeeding are even more important if your baby is born prematurely. The gut of a premature baby is particularly vulnerable – colostrum protects! Even one feeding of nonhuman milk changes the environment in your baby’s gut. Increasingly, when mother’s owm milk is not available, pasteurized donor milk is recommended for premature babies.

2. Health Benefits
Research continues to grow showing that formula-fed babies are more likely to have more infections and illnesses than breastfed babies. Middle ear, bladder and respiratory infections are more likely to happen to formula-fed babies. Breastfeeding has also been shown to be

protective against SIDS, diabetes and allergies.

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is the best recommendation,particularly

for families with a history of allergies.

3. Nutrition
The levels of nutrients, including numerous essential fatty acids in breast milk, is unique in human milk. As your baby grows the nutrients in your milk change according to her needs. Human milk also changes when your baby needs more fluid – hence, extra water is not needed for your baby when the weather gets hot. Your milk has more than nutrients. Human milk also has infective properties that prevent the diseases listed above, growth factors and hormones that supportyour baby’s needs.

4. Safety
Human milk comes prepared, ready at the right temperature and from the right container. Mixing errors and contamination can occur when formula is used. Some plastic bottles and the linings of formula cans contain bisphenol A - Health Canada recently banned the sale of baby bottles containing bisphenol A. Human milk is also safely available at times of natural disaster or water problems. Breastfeeding certainly is easier when you are travelling – no worries about trying to store and prepare milk!.

5. Optimal development
Numerous studies show us that breastfed babies have optimal

development of their brains and eyes and they have an IQ advantage.

When you think about it- it just makes sense. The unique properties

of human milk, including essential fatty acids, are designed for

rapid development of the human brain. Cow’s milk

(the base for formula) was designed for rapid growth of the cow.

6. Security and comfort
Breastfeeding provides more than just food. One of the most

important psychological tasks of your baby in his first year is to develop

a secure attachment with you. The close, intimate relationship that develops

with the frequent physical contact between you forms the bases of

this secure attachment. Additionally, new research confirms what

breastfeeding mothers know – breastfeeding is comforting. This is true for

the toddler who has fallen and hurt himself and the brand new

baby needing a blood test. Sometimes fathers worry that they won’t develop

this close bond if they cannot feed their babies. The truth is just the opposite.

A baby confident in a secure attachment to his mother is open to close

relationships with others – including dad!.

7. Maternal conditions
Research suggests that women who breastfeed are at less risk

for several conditions:-diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis,

breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding women

also lose weight quicker, and have less risk of postpartum depression.

8. Economic
Unquestionably, it costs hundreds of dollars less to breastfeed

than to provide alternative milk for the first year.

9. Work
Breastfeeding works for mothers returning to work or school and, in fact, it is your right to continue to be able to breastfeed if you return to work.

10. Environment
Consider the advantage to the environment if we supported all mothers to breastfeed their babies.There would be less resources needed for the production of cow’s milk (for formula) and tons less garbage produced each year. Breast milk comes in an attractive, reusable container!

Source :- http://www.babyfriendly.ca/challenge/2008/BFC2008_Top10_Handout.pdf "QUINTESSENCE FOUNDATION"

My thanks to :-MARINA, http://ostetricamarina.blogspot.com/