Going to give birth to my first baby and to be honest, I am nervous…I am going to be a MOM for the first time. I don’t know what I am doing. All I know is that I DO WANT TO BREASTFEED and I have given myself NO option NOT to. Can you say PRESSURE? Breastfeeding is a challenge in today’s day and age, but it is the most basic way to give nutrients to a new human life. According to the AAP, “Human milk is species-specific, and all substitute feeding preparations differ markedly from it, making human milk uniquely superior for infant feeding. Exclusive breastfeeding is the reference or normative model against which all alternative feeding methods must be measured with regard to growth, health, development, and all other short- and long-term outcomes. In addition, human milk-fed premature infants receive significant benefits with respect to host protection and improved developmental outcomes compared with formula-fed premature infants… Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child.”A.A.P. Breastfeeding Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk Pediatrics Vol. 115 No. 2 February 2005
Here are the top 25 reasons WHY to Breastfeed your bambino:)
- The American Dietetic Association promotes breastfeeding
- Breast milk is more digestible than formula
- Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of breast cancer
- Baby’s suckling helps shrink mother’s uterus after childbirth
- Formula feeding increases baby girls’ risk of developing breast cancer in later life
- Formula Feeding is associated with lower I.Q.
- Breast milk is always ready and comes in a nicer package than formula does
- Breast milk helps pass meconium
- Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby’s immune system
- Breastfeeding satisfies baby’s emotional needs and increases bonding between mother and baby
- Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition
- Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of developing ovarian cancer
- Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is bornPre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants
- Breastfeeding protects against Crohn’s disease (intestinal disorder)
- Formula feeding increases risk of children developing diabetes
- Breastfeeding baby helps decrease insulin requirements in diabetic mothers
- Breastfeeding may help stabilize progress of maternal endometriosis
- Baby’s suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage in mother
- Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of developing endometrial cancer
- Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies
- Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma
- Formula feeding increases baby’s risk of otitis media (ear infections)
- Formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections
- Breastfeeding decreases child’s chances of contracting Hodgkins disease