FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Lauren Feder, M.D.
New York, NY - Regardless of whether you support Salma Hayek's choice to breastfeed another woman's baby in Sierra Leone, as reported earlier this month, the event serves as an important reminder to all about the benefits of breastmilk. Dr. Lauren Feder, bestselling author of Natural Baby and Childcare and The Parents' Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations sums up the vital importance of nature's mealtime for both mother and baby.
Many mothers report that it "just feels right" to breastfeed their baby. This intuitive attraction to breastfeeding is backed by a great deal of scientific evidence. What are the benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother?
Benefits for Baby
Breastmilk strengthens the immune system, assuring greater resistance to infections. In infancy, your baby's immune system is still young and immature, and one of the primary ways it develops resistance to various illnesses is through the antibodies provided in mother's milk. Studies indicate that the immune systems of breastfed babies develop earlier. As a result, they have lower incidence of infection-and less severe infections-than formula fed babies, including fewer occurrences of diarrhea, colds, ear infections, and bladder infections. In addition, breast milk is known to protect baby against allergies, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, meningitis, and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Babies who gain the best immunological protection those who are given only breast milk (no formula) and those who are breastfed for a longer period of time.
Breastfed children suffer fewer chronic illnesses. Research shows that breastfeeding affords lifelong protection to your child's heart and blood vessels, as well as benefiting weight, glucose tolerance, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels later in life. In addition, studies suggest that it lowers the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, celiac disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, inflammatory bowel disease, childhood cancer, and allergies. Breastfed babies also have fewer ear infections, and studies show that as breastfeeding decreases, the rate of ear infections increases.
Breastfed infants are less likely to be obese. Studies show that a specific protein in breast milk affects the body's ability to process fat. Breastfed infants tend to be leaner than formula-fed babies, and the longer a child is breast fed, the lower the rate of obesity.
Sucking at the breast helps babies develop oral muscles and facial bones. In addition, babies who breastfeed for more than one year are reported to have better alignment of their teeth and jaws, which means less need for orthodontic care later on.
Breastfeeding affords better vision. Babies who are breastfed see better, and their strong visual acuity may be in part a result of DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) in breast milk, which is important for the retina of the eye.
Breastfeeding fosters improved brain growth and development. The DHA present in breast milk may also be responsible for benefits to your child's brain and IQ. A study of children ages 7-8 who breastfed eight months or longer showed that they had significantly higher verbal and performance IQ scores. Similar research also points to higher intelligence and improved academic achievement among children who were breastfed.
Benefits for Mother
Breastfeeding offers vital health benefits to mothers as well as children. Breastfeeding is ecological, economical, and efficient. Even including the supplies for pumping and extra food for mom, breastfeeding is easier on your pocketbook than formula feeding. Also, breastfed babies are generally sick less often, meaning fewer doctor visits, lower medical bills, and fewer parental absences at work. Employers take note: Encouraging and facilitating breastfeeding and pumping at work offers companies economic advantages, since employees are home less often with sick children.
Breastfeeding offers comfort and security and promotes closeness. No discussion of breastfeeding would be complete without emphasizing the psychological and emotional benefits provided to both mother and child. The interaction that occurs during breastfeeding promotes mother-infant bonding at a hormonal level. The hormone oxytocin, released in a mother as she feeds her child, offers a strong sense of well-being and attachment. Studies have shown that mothers who breastfeed suffer less of the baby blues than women who formula feed.
Breastfeeding after birth helps contract the uterus back to its normal size, which aids in minimizing blood loss and anemia at the time of childbirth. The hormone oxytocin, released while breastfeeding, speeds the release of the placenta and causes the uterus to shrink following birth, which results in less bleeding.
Breastfeeding enhances the mothering instinct naturally. Prolactin, the hormone that produces milk, relaxes the mother and promotes bonding with her infant. Skin-to-skin contact with your infant is important. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or working mother, taking time to breastfeed your infant and hold him against you offers a strong sense of intimacy and fulfillment.
Research shows breastfeeding can lower the risk of certain cancers (including breast, endometrial, and ovarian).
Breastfeeding prevents osteoporosis. Studies indicate that breastfeeding strengthens women's bones, helping to prevent osteoporosis after menopause.
Exclusive breastfeeding delays ovulation and fertility. Breastfeeding is nature's birth control, allowing you more time with your little one before another child is possible. Caution: This is not 100% full proof. Ask parents of Irish twins!
Nursing mothers usually have an easier time losing weight after pregnancy. Making milk requires calories, which helps mom reduce any fat she accumulated during pregnancy.
Breast milk is indeed the ideal food as it protects our children as much as it nourishes baby in both body and mind.
Natural Baby and Childcare
ISBN: 978-1-57826-205-2 $17.95 paperback
The Parents' Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations
ISBN: 978-1-57826-251-9 $12.95 paperback
Hatherleigh Books, Distributed by Random House
Hatherleigh Press, Ltd.
Mary Woodward
Media Relations
Phone: (718) 786-5338 x207
Tags: Lauren Feder, breastfeeding, Breastfed children, Breastfed infants,parenting
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