Breastfeeding has been around for years and has lived up to its reputation as being “good for your baby.” Why, you ask?…
Top 5 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Baby
- Contains antibodies which are disease-fighting cells that help protect infants from germs, illnesses and even SIDS [1]
- Decreased health-related risks for infants of ear infections, stomach viruses, diarrhea, respiratory infections, asthma, obesity, diabetes, childhood leukemia and more
- Decreased health-related risks for moms of Type 2 Diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression
- Promotes bonding between the infant and mother
- Breastfeeding burns calories because of the breast contractions and can help moms lose weight
Furthermore, there is no need to buy and properly prepare infant formula and then have to worry about cleaning/sanitizing bottles correctly making breastfeeding very convenient for mothers. In fact, according to womenshealth.gov [2], breastfeeding can save you from $1,160 to $3,915 per year depending on the type of formula (now imagine how else you can spend that money!).
Currently, nearly 75% of U.S. moms start off breastfeeding. However, by 6 months, that statistic drops down to 12%. Solution? Continued breastfeeding support and reminder of breastfeeding benefits. According to the World Health Organization and the National Health and Medical Research Council, moms should breastfeed at least for the first 6 months.
But wait! There’s more. On April 8, 2010, the Journal of Pediatrics [3] came out with new study [4] revealing the cost benefit of breastfeeding. According to this study, if 90% of women breastfeed, nearly 900 lives of babies would be saved each year! In monetary terms, if breastfeeding rates increase, up to $13 billion can be saved in medical costs. I repeat, 900 lives of babies and $13 billion saved in medical costs! Breastfeeding does indeed, have the potential to save lives and dollars!
Do you plan on breastfeeding your baby? If not, what’s holding you back?
Mothers: How has breastfeeding changed your life and your baby’s? Any words of encouragement for moms-to-be?
Research assistance provided by Monica Lobo [5].
[6]