About Breastfeeding

Breastmilk is an infant's normal food, and contains numerous nutrients lacking in formula that are necessary to a normal infant immune system and promotes healthy, normal growth.

Why is Breastfeeding Important?

Breastmilk is:

• FREE & readily available as long as the mother is near or has pumped milk

• Made up of just the right amounts of fat, sugar, water, and protein & contains protective antibodies

• Never contaminated (formula can be easily contaminated)

• Easily digested by the baby
  

Breastfeeding benefits the health of Mothers:

• It lowers the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis & maternal postpartum depression for mothers who breastfeed

• It helps women recover more quickly from birth & it helps minimize blood loss right after birth

• It helps women lose baby weight faster

• It offers some protection against the early return of fertility

• Psychological benefits, such as increased self-confidence and a stronger sense of connection with baby, often emerge with the presence of breastfeeding

• Additionally, for infants, breastfeeding increases the effectiveness of immunizations

The risks of NOT Breastfeeding are substantial for infants: 

• Increased risk of viral & bacterial infections, diarrhea, respiratory infection, ear infection, meningitis, & urinary tract infections

• Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Crohn's Disease, allergic diseases (such as asthma), lymphoma, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity, & other chronic digestive diseases

 

Recommendations for Breastfeeding:

• Exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months

• Continued breastfeeding and complimentary foods through one year

• Beyond on year as mutually desired by mother and infant
  
  *Recommended by major medical and professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the U.S. Surgeon General, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Click the above links for each organization's specific recommendation.
  
  For more information on general how-to's of breastfeeding, please visit our resources page.