Church Partnership Newsletter October 2014 | Page 6
Why Breastfeeding is Important
Every woman's journey to motherhood is different, but one of the first decisions a new mom makes is how to feed
her child. When the choice is made to breastfeed, it is an investment in baby's future. Breastfeeding allows mom
to make the food that is perfect for baby since breast milk gives babies the healthy start that will last a lifetime.
Breast milk helps babies grow healthy and strong from day one. A mother's first milk is considered liquid gold
because it contains a lot of nutrients and antibodies to help protect babies from infection. This first milk is called
colostrum. Colostrum helps newborn's digestive system to grow and function. Colostrum changes into mature
milk by the third or fifth day after birth. This mature milk is thinner than colostrum, but has the right amount of
fat, sugar, water, and protein to help babies grow.
The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illnesses. Research suggests that breastfed
babies have lower risk of:
•Asthma
•Childhood Leukemia
•Childhood Obesity
•Ear Infections
•Eczema
•Diarrhea and Vomiting
•Type Two Diabetes
•Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
•Lower Respiratory Infections
•Necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in pre-term infants
Breastfeeding helps a mother's health and healing following childbirth and leads to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes,
certain types of breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Many women who breastfed their babies said it helped them
get back to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly, but experts are still looking at the effects of breastfeeding on
weight loss.
Breastfeeding may seem like it takes a little more effort than formula-feeding at first, but breast feeding can make
life easier once a routine has been established. There are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. There is no formula
that has to be purchased, measured, and mixed. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night – a baby's
hunger can be satisfied right away.
There are many societal benefits when a mother breastfeeds:
Breast feeding saves lives. Recent research shows if 90% of families
breastfed exclusively for 6 months, nearly 1,000 deaths among infants
could be prevented.
Breastfeeding saves money. The United States would also save $2.2
billion per year – medical care costs are lower for fully breastfed infants
than never-breastfed infants. Breastfed infants usually need fewer sick
care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
Breastfeeding also helps make a more productive workforce. Mothers
who breastfeed miss less work to care for sick infants than mothers who
feed their infants formula. Employer medical costs are also lower.
Breastfeeding is better for the environment. Formula cans and bottle
supplies create more trash and plastic waste. A mother's milk is
renewable resource that comes packaged and warmed.
Very rarely, babies are born unable to tolerate milk of any kind including mom's consumption of milk. Moms may
be encouraged to consume a dairy free diet in order to continue breastfeeding. Babies may need formula,
however, if mom has certain health conditions that won't allow breastfeeding. Mothers are encouraged to talk to
their doctor before feeding baby anything besides breast milk.
Resource: www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-benefits.php