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Benefits of Breastfeeding
Arlene Toole, RLC
When you have a baby, you make many decisions such as
which stroller to buy, which car seat is the safest, and where you can find a good
babysitter. However, the most important
decision that you will make is how you plan to feed your baby.
You may wonder if there is a difference in breast
milk and formula. You’ve heard that “breast is best,” but aren’t formulas
almost as good? Your mother may tell you
that you were fed formula and you turned out OK. So, what is the big deal? Well, let me tell you.
Breast milk is the perfect food. It changes every day and at every feeding,
which gives your baby exactly what he/she needs. Your body knows how to make good milk even if
you don’t eat the right foods. Did you
know that if you have a premature baby, your body will make premature
milk? This special milk will contain
more protein, fat, and iron and be loaded with antibodies because that is what
a premature baby needs.
For the baby, breastfeeding provides the perfect
nutrition. Breastfeeding reduces the
incidence of ear infections, colds, respiratory problems, allergies, diarrhea,
bacterial meningitis, diabetes, and some types of childhood cancers. Babies who are not breastfed are 10 times
more likely to be hospitalized for bacterial infections.
Breast milk also offers long term health
benefits. Studies show that breast fed
children have higher IQ’s, less Crohn’s and Celiac disease, and they are not as
likely to be overweight. Yes! Studies show that breastfed babies are not as
likely to grow up to be fat kids!
For the mother, breastfeeding helps her lose the
extra weight she gained during pregnancy by burning 500 calories a day making
milk. Breastfeeding has been linked to a
lower rate of osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, and ovarian, uterine and
breast cancer. A new study, just out
last month, found that breastfeeding mothers are less likely to become
diabetic.
Everyone benefits from a mother breastfeeding because
of lower health care costs. In a study
by Kaiser Permanente, infants who breast fed for 6 months had a decrease in
medical bills by $1,500.00. Add in the
cost of infant formula, which varies from $1,500 - $3,500 a year, that is a lot
of money saved. Breast milk is FREE!
If you are pregnant, go to a breastfeeding class and
take your family with you. It is
important that the people helping you after the baby is born learn how to help
with breastfeeding. If you plan to
return to work, you may want information on how to introduce a bottle to your
baby, what kind of pump to buy, and how to properly store breast milk.
The
Arlene Toole is the daughter of Dr. J. K. Humber Sr. and the sister of
Dr. Ken Humber. She has served as the
Lactation Services Coordinator at
The Highest Level is the monthly e-mail newsletter of the
© Humber Parkerson
Clinic 2006
February 2006 issue of The Highest Level
