A Few BENEFitS OF BREASTFEEDING

Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system.
Koutras, A.K., "Fecal Secretory Immunoglobulin A in Breast Milk vs. Formula Feeding in Early Infancy". J. Ped Gastro Nutr 1989.

Reduces the risk of breast cancer.  Women who breastfeed reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 25 percent. The reduction in cancer risk comes in proportion to the cumulative lifetime duration of breastfeeding. That is, the more months or years a mother breastfeeds, the lower her risk of breast cancer

 Reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer. One of the reasons for the cancer-fighting effects of breastfeeding is that estrogen levels are lower during lactation. It is thought that the less estrogen available to stimulate the lining of the uterus and perhaps breast tissue also, the less the risk of these tissues becoming cancerous.

Lessens osteoporosis. Non-breastfeeding women have a four times greater chance of developing osteoporosis than breastfeeding women and are more likely to suffer from hip fractures in the post-menopausal years.  The Breastfeeding Book, Sear & Sears

Breastfeeding Stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin in the Mother's Body.

Breast milk easy to digest.
"Babies can digest human milk more easily than the milk of other animals, probably because human milk contains an enzyme that aids in this process. Breast milk forms softer curds in the infant's and is more quickly assimilated into the body system. While it contains less protein than does cow's milk, virtually all the protein in breast milk is available to the baby. Similarly, iron and zinc are absorbed better by breastfed babies."
The Complete Book Of Breastfeeding M.S. Eiger. MD, S. Wendkos Olds

•  Suckling helps shrink mother's uterus after childbirth
The Complete Book Of Breastfeeding M.S. Eiger. MD, S. Wendkos Olds Copyright 1972, 1987 Comstock, Inc., Workman Publishing Co., Inc.

• Suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhageNursing her baby causes the mother's body to release oxytocin, which stimulates contractions which help shrink the uterus back to pre - pregnancy size while expelling the placenta. These contractions also shut off the maternal blood vessels that formerly fed the baby and discourage excessive bleeding. Women who choose not to breastfeed must be given synthetic oxytocin to insure against hemorrhaging.

Chua S, Arulkumaran S, Lim I et al. "Influence of breastfeeding and nipple stimulation on postpartum uterine activity."  Br J Ovstet Gynaecol 1994; 101:804-805

• Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is born. Breastfeeding requires an average of 500 extra calories per day.
Dewey KG, Heinig MJ, Nommwen LA. Maternal weight-loss patterns during prolonged lactation. 
Am J Clin Nutr 1993;58:162-166

•  The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it  “breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; ... it forms a unique biological and emotional basis for the health of both mother and child; ...the anti-infective properties of breast milk help to protect infants against disease; and ... there is an important relationship between breastfeeding and child spacing”
The WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma
Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Med., July 1995

Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections

Kovar MG, Serdula MK, Marks JS, et al. "Review of the epidemiologic evidence for an association between infant feeding and infant health." Pediatrics. 1984:74:S615-S638

• Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections

Frank Al, Taber LH, Glezen WP, et al. "Breast-feeding and respiratory virus infection." Pediatrics 1982;70:239-245
Wright AI, Holberg DJ, Martinez FD, et al. " Breast feeding and lower respiratory tract illness in the first year of life." 

• Breastfeeding protects baby against vision defects
Birch E, et al. "Breastfeeding and optimal visual development." J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus -

•  Breast milk is an intestinal soother

• Less gastrointestinal reflux (Spit-up) Breastfed neonates demonstrate gastroesophageal reflux episodes of significantly shorter duration that formula fed neonates.
Heacock, H.J. "Influence of Breast vs Formula Milk in Physiologic Gastroesophageal Reflux in Healthy Newborn Infants". Jour. Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 1992 January; 14(1): 41-6

• Helps cognitive development
Morley, R., "Mothers Choice to provide Breast Milk and Developmental Outcome". Arch Dis Child, 1988

• Breast milk is good for combatting eye infections.  Breast milk contains natural antibiotic qualities, and many mothers swear that a squirt in the irritated eye of their baby has cleared up the problem in short order.

This information is furnished to you Dr.Sear.com and by Leslie Burby and ProMoM, Inc. as a public service.  It is in no way intended as medical advice, or meant to replace the services of a licensed medical professional