RMC Women
How does your baby benefit from breastfeeding?
- Protection from gastrointestinal infections
- Reduced risk of Diarrhea
- Reduced chance of having childhood cancers
- Lower incidence of juvenile diabetes
- Reduced risk of Hodgkin's Disease
- Less risk of Crohn's Disease
- Less chance of having reflux
- Lower incidence of asthma
- Less risk of infantile autism
- Less chance of having eczema
- Less risk of having respiratory infections
- Higher IQ
- Decreased chance of having ear infections
- Decreased chance of SIDS
- Better vision
How do you benefit from breastfeeding?
- Decreased chance of having ovarian cancer
- Decreased chance of osteoporosis
- Faster weight loss after having the baby
- Higher self-esteem
- Less at risk for osteoporosis
- Less chance of endometrial cancer
- Save up to $1,000 or more each year
- Higher sense of empowerment
- Lower risk of obesity later in life
- Less chance of breast cancer
- Less time off from work due to a sick child
- Better response to stress
Recent Research on Breastfeeding
"Breastfed infants between 2 and 3 months are more easily aroused, implicating prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)" - Archives of Diseases in Childhood, January 2004.
"Breastfeeding sucessful among infants with congenital heart disease, giving mothers a sense of participation in thier child's care" - Pediatric Nursing 2004.
"Breastfeeding benefits last past infancy, protecting against heart disease and stroke. During teens 14% had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, cardiovascular health." - The Lancet, May 2004.
"Breastfeeding safeguards infants from death due to infectious dieseases" - Pediatrics, May 2004.
"One month of breastfeeding in infancy results in less physical and psychological problems in adulthood. Males in particular suffered less stress later in life." - American Psychological Association, May 2004.
"Children who were bottle-fed or used pacifiers are at rist of dental problems in preschool. ...pacifiers appeared to affect bite patterns...bottle feeding may also affect jaw alignment because it requires more powerful sucking than from the breast" - Archives of Diseases in Childhood, December 2004.
"Breastfeeding for even a few months may lower the odds that a child will develop leukemia. Lond term breastfeeding was linked to a 24% lower risk of acute lympoblastic leukemia (ALL). Breastfeeding 6 months or less reduced ALL by 12%. - Reuters Health, November 2004.
"Breastfeeding for a total of 2 years or more reduces a woman's risk for rheumatoid arthritis by 50% - Arthritis and Rheumatism, November 2004.
"Breastfed babies grow up to have lower blood pressure than bottle fed infants." Formula fed infants tend to "overeat, causing too rapid weight gain. This (formula feeding) in turn is "associated with higher blood pressure and promotes insulin resistance, which often precedes development of diabetes in adulthood". - The American Heart Association & University of Bristol in Britain / Epidemiology and Public Health, 2004.
Kangaroo care is "safe, leads to less severe infections, encourages breastfeeding, increases neurological development, and aids in infant development." - British Medical Journal, November 13, 2004
There are many other benefits to nursing. Give the very best to you and your baby by breastfeeding.
