Seven Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child That You Need to Know

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http://www.mercola.com/2004/may/19/breast_feeding.htm

 

Seven Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child That You Need to Know

 

 

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

with Rachael Droege

 

Although breastfeeding has become increasingly accepted in recent

years, there is still much controversy over breastfeeding in America.

Issues range from how long one should breastfeed to where it is

acceptable to do. But one issue that needs no further debate is

whether it is healthier to breastfeed or formula-feed your

baby--overwhelmingly, the answer is breastfeed! What's more is that

breastfeeding is not only good for the baby--it's good for mom too.

 

Breastfeeding Builds Your Baby's Immune System

 

Newborns are still developing and do not have a mature immune system

to protect them from illness. Antibodies, or immune molecules, in a

mother's breast milk are transferred to the baby, giving them

immunities to illnesses that the mother is immune to. The converse is

also true--if your newborn is exposed to a germ, she will transfer it

back to the mother while nursing. The mother's body will then make

antibodies to that particular germ and transfer them back to the baby

at the next feeding.

 

Studies have also shown that babies who are breastfed exclusively have

better functioning immune systems in the long-term as well.

 

Formula-fed babies do not get the same immune boost and have higher

rates of:

 

* Middle ear infections

* Pneumonia

* Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)

* Urinary tract infections

* Necrotizing enterocolitis, a digestive tract disorder that is a

leading killer of premature infants

 

Breastfed infants, on the other hand, have added protection against:

 

* Heart disease

* Immune system cancers such as lymphoma

* Bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease

* Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

* Asthma and allergies

* Respiratory infections

* Eczema

* Type 1 and type 2 diabetes

 

Breastfeeding Improves Baby's Brain Function

 

The nutritional properties of breast milk are not only good for the

newborn's immune system, they are also good for the brain. Breastfed

infants tend to have higher intelligence than formula-fed infants.

This may be due to certain compounds found in breast milk, including

omega-3 fatty acids.

 

For instance, one study found that the verbal IQ of 7- and 8-year-old

children who had been breastfed was about 10 points higher than those

who were not. Another 18-year study of over 1,000 children found that

those who were breastfed had higher intelligence and greater academic

achievement than children who were formula-fed as babies.

 

It is interesting to note that babies who are breastfed naturally

spend more time in what is known as the " quiet alert " state, which is

not only soothing for parents but also it is the state most conducive

to the newborn's learning.

 

Breastfeeding Reduces Obesity

 

Breast milk contains a protein that could reduce the risk of obesity

later in life. In fact, the longer a child is breastfed, the lower

their risk of obesity, according to a study by U.S. researchers. The

protein affects the body's processing of fat.

 

Breastfeeding Helps Babies Emotionally

 

Babies have an intense need to be held and one of the most comforting

things for a newborn is the physical act of nursing. Leaving a baby

alone with a bottle is not emotionally satisfying to the child and

does not make them feel safe or secure.

 

Breastfeeding also promotes bonding between mother and baby in a way

that bottle-feeding cannot. Most women naturally feel a strong desire

to hold their baby and there are physical and emotional reasons for

this. Breastfeeding ensures that mother and baby have some intimate

time together and actually stimulates the mother's release of the

oxytocin hormone, which is known to promote maternal behavior.

 

Reduces Mom's Risk of Cancer and Other Health Conditions

 

Breastfeeding is a mutually beneficial experience in that it helps

both mother and child. Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of

breast and ovarian cancers and osteoporosis later in life.

 

Moms Return to Pre-Pregnancy Weight Faster

 

Breastfeeding women lose weight faster than those who do not. This is

because producing milk and breastfeeding requires about 500 calories

per day. This is the equivalent of jogging about five miles!

Breastfeeding also stimulates contractions in the uterus that help it

to shrink back to its normal, pre-pregnancy size faster. It also helps

to reduce lower body fat.

 

Save Time and Money

 

Surely your primary reason for wanting to breastfeed is to help your

baby physically and emotionally, but the more material advantages of

breastfeeding are hard to ignore. If you breastfeed you don't have to

prepare bottles and formula--breast milk is always fresh and ready to

go. This will save you a substantial amount of time at a period in

your life when you will need it!

 

Breastfeeding also saves you the expense of buying formula, which

typically costs at least $800 per year. The savings continue to

accumulate as your child grows, as breastfed babies tend to have fewer

doctor's visits and lower overall medical expenses. One study even

found that a group of formula-fed babies had over $68,000 in health

care costs for six months, compared to only $4,000 for the breastfed

group.

 

What to do if You Can't Breastfeed

 

If you still think that formula is a suitable alternative to breast

milk, consider that there are at least 400 nutrients in breast milk

that are not found in formula. That said, I understand that there are

certain conditions and circumstances that may prevent you from being

able to breastfeed. If this is the case, you can make a healthy infant

formula using raw milk.

 

Breast milk is always the best choice though, so if it's at all

possible I encourage you to breastfeed your child. The longer you do

this, the better, but even a short time of breastfeeding is better

than none at all!

 

Related Articles:

 

Breastfeeding Linked To Higher IQ

 

Skin-to-Skin Contact With Mom Helps Newborns

 

Infant Formula Fortification Protocol

 

Beneficial Bacteria (Probiotics) During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Helps Protect Against Eczema

 

The Deadly Influence of Formula in America, Part I

 

Breastfeeding Improves Glucose Tolerance And Cholesterol Levels

 

Vitamin D Urged for Breastfed, Dark-Skinned Infants