1. The American
2. Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby
3. Breastfeeding satisfies baby's emotional needs
All babies need to be held. Studies have shown that premature babies are more likely to die if they are not held or stroked. There is no more comforting feeling for an infant of any age than being held close and cuddled while breastfeeding. While many bottle-feeding parents are aware of the importance of cradling their babies while offering the bottle, some are not. Even for parents with good intentions, there is always the temptation to prop up a bottle next to the child, or, when the baby is a little older, to let the child hold his/her own bottle and sit alone. This is emotionally unsatisfying to baby, and can be dangerous physically. An unsupervised child can choke. Also, propping up bottles over night leads to tooth decay.
4. Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition
"Human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and is species-specific; all substitute feeding options differ markedly from it. The breastfed infant 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 benefits."
(See A.A.P. Breastfeeding Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (RE9729))
6. Formula feeding increases baby girls' risk of developing breast cancer in later life
8. Breast milk is always ready and comes in a nicer package than formula does
9. Breast milk helps pass meconium
10. Babies are born with a sticky tar-like substance called meconium in their intestines. Colostrum, or early milk, is uniquely designed to help move this substance through the infant's body.
10. Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system.
Formula provides neither of these benefits
Koutras, A.K., "Fecal Secretory Immunoglobulin A in Breast Milk vs. Formula Feeding in Early Infancy". J. Ped Gastro Nutr 1989.
11. Breast milk is more digestible than formula
"Babies can digest human milk more easily than the milk of other animals, probably because human milk contains an enzyme that aids in this process. Breast milk forms softer curds in the infant's stomach than cow's milk (the basis for most formulas) and is more quickly assimilated into the body system. While it contains less protein than does cow's milk, virtually all the protein in breast milk is available to the baby. By contrast, about half the protein in cow's milk passes through the baby's body as a waste product. Similarly, iron and zinc are absorbed better by breastfed babies."
The Complete Book of Breastfeeding M.S. Eiger. MD, S. Wendkos Olds
Copyright 1972, 1987 Comstock, Inc., Workman Publishing Co., Inc.
708 Broadway,
13. Suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage
14. Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is born
15. Pre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants
"Milk produced by women who deliver prematurely differs from that produced after a full-term pregnancy. Specifically, during the first month after parturition, preterm milk maintains a composition similar to that of colostrum." Hamosh, Margit, PhD,
16. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it
"...breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; ... it forms a unique biological and emotional basis for the health of both mother and child; ...the anti-infective properties of breast milk help to protect infants against disease; and ... there is an important relationship between breastfeeding and child spacing".(Emphasis added)
(See The WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes).
17. Breastfeeding protects against Crohn's disease (intestinal disorder)
18. Formula feeding increases risk of baby developing type I (juvenile, insulin-dependent) diabetes.
19. Breastfeeding decreases insulin requirements for breastfeeding mothers
20. Breastfeeding stabilizes progress of maternal endometriosis
21. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing ovarian cancer
22. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing endometrial cancer
23. Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies
24. Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma
25. Formula feeding increases baby's risk of otitis media (ear infections)
26. Formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (S.I.D.S.)
27. Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections
28. Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis
29. Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections
30. Formula fed babies have a higher risk of developing certain childhood lymphomas
31. Breastfeeding decreases chances of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
32. Breastfeeding decreases child's chances of contracting Hodgkin’s disease
33. Breastfeeding protects baby against vision defects
34. Breastfeeding decreases chances of maternal osteoporosis in later life
35. Breast milk is an intestinal soother (meaning less colic)
36. Cows milk is an intestinal irritant (meaning more colic)
37. Formula-fed babies are more at risk for obesity in later life
38. Breastfed babies have less chance of cardiopulmonary distress while feeding
Bottle-fed babies are at increased risk of cardiopulmonary disturbances, including prolonged airway closure and obstructed respiratory breaths due to repeated swallowing. Koenig HS, Davies Am, Thach BT. "Coordination of breathing, sucking and swallowing during bottle feedings in human infants." J Appl Physiol 69: 1629: 1623-1629, 1990.
Infants can experience oxygen saturation below 90% when bottle feeding. Nine of 50 healthy term infants in one study experienced bradycardia during bottle feeding. Six of these episodes were preceded by apnea, three showed hypopnea (marked reduction in ventilation) and one had certral apnea (no respiratory efforts).
Matthew O, Clark ML, Ponske MH. Apnea, bradycardia, and cyanosis during oral feeding in term neonates." J Pediatr 106:857, 1985
39. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing ulcerative colitis
40. Breast milk protects against hemophilus b. virus
41. Breastfed babies require shorter pre and post-surgical fasting
42. Breastfeeding results in less sick days for parents
43. Breastfeeding enhances vaccine effectiveness
44. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing necrotizing enterocolitis
45. Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive
This is true only if you are exclusively breastfeeding, and have not yet gotten your period back following childbirth. Night nursing encourages longer amenorrhoea (periodlessness). If you really don't want to get pregnant again, use some back up birth control even if you haven't gotten your period again. You will have no way of knowing when your first ovulation will occur, and by the time you figure it out you may be expecting! Still, generally speaking, breastfeeding contributes to optimum child spacing.
Kennedy KI, Visness CM. "Contraceptive efficacy of lactational amenorrhoea." Lancet. 1992; 339:227-230
Gray RH, Campbell OM, Apelo R, et al. "Risk of ovulation during lactation." Lancet. 1990; 335:25-29
Labbock MH, Colie C. "Puerperium and breast-feeding." Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 1992; 4:818-825
46. Breastfeeding is easier than using formula
After the initial start up period, breastfeeding is very easy. All you have to do is lift up your shirt and let the little one latch on. No shopping for formula, bottles, and other supplies. No mixing, heating, refrigerating and cleaning up of formula. If you sleep with your baby, or sleep the baby next to your bed, you can forget about all the disturbing night time rituals associated with formula use. All you have to do is roll over, let the baby latch on, and go back to sleep!
The added calories a mother must take in are a negligible expense, and nursing clothes are optional. If you need to pump, excellent pumps are available for between $100 and $225. They can be used for more than one child, so they are really an investment. Any way you look at it, you'll spend a lot more money if you choose to formula feed.
48. Formula is expensive
The cost of feeding a baby on formula for one year was estimated to be around $1000 in 1990. It has certainly gotten more expensive since.
Batten W. Hirschman J. Thomas C. Impact of the special supplemental food program on infants. J Pediatr 117 II:SIOI-109, 1990
The
Batten W. Hirschman J. Thomas C. Impact of the special supplemental food program on infants. J Pediatr 117 II:SIOI-109, 1990
50. Breast milk is always the right temperature
Severe burns to babies' mouths have occurred due to improper heating of artificial milks. Even when it's done correctly, it's never fun to try to warm a bottle for a fussing baby.
51. Breast milk always has the right proportions of fat, carbohydrates and protein
Formula companies are constantly adjusting these proportions looking for the best composition. The reality is that a mother's milk composition changes from feeding to feeding depending on the needs of her child.
52. Breast milk acts like a natural tranquilizer for baby
Mother's milk contains chemicals that seem to work like "knock-out drops" for tired babies. Even if baby doesn't fall asleep, he/she will certainly calm down and become more agreeable. If you choose to breastfeed into toddlerhood, you may find that the "terrible twos" never materialize!
53. Breastfeeding acts like a natural tranquilizer for mom
Nursing mothers often joke about falling asleep on the job. The sleep inducing qualities of nursing a baby are remarkable. In fact, new mothers have to be careful to hold a nursing baby in such a way that they will not drop the child when they inevitably nod off. Nursing in bed is a great solution. Even pumping at work can be a great way to calm down and get refocused on a stressful day.
54. Breast milk tastes better than formula
Human breastmilk is remarkably sweet and light. Formula is pasty and bland. Which would you rather eat?
55. Breastfed babies are healthier over-all
56. Breastfed babies are less likely to die before their third birthday
57. Breastfed babies require fewer doctor visits
58. Breastfeeding mothers spend less time and money on doctor visits
59. Fewer waste packaging products
60. No bottles to tote
61. Less cow induced global greenhouse gasses
Ridiculous as it may sound; bovine flatulence is a huge contributor to the greenhouse gas problem. Aside from producing vast quantities of methane, cows also contribute their manure and urine to our rivers and ground water.
62. No need to refrigerate
63. Cows milk is designed for baby cows
Human milk contains completely different proportions of protein, fat, carbohydrates. Cows milk is designed to help put on weight quickly, grow amazingly fast, and develop only as much brain power as a cow needs. The hormones in cows milk are geared toward cows, not humans. The fact that human beings can even drink the milk of another species in sort of amazing when you stop to think about it.
64. Human milk is designed for baby humans
65. Natural pain relief for baby
Breast milk actually contains chemicals that suppress pain (endorphins). Aside from this, the comfort a baby derives from being held close and suckling is remarkable. Many a bruise or scrape has been soothed away almost instantly by a few moments of nursing. If you choose to have your child vaccinated, it is a good idea to nurse immediately after he/she receives a vaccination. This soothes the hurt, as well as enhancing the vaccine's effectiveness.
66. Perfect food for sick baby
When a formula fed baby gets a gastrointestinal ailment they are usually put on an artificial electrolyte solution because formula is too hard for them to digest. Breast milk, however, is easily digested, and soothing to the intestines, so there is no need for artificial and expensive electrolyte solutions. If a baby gets a respiratory illness, formula may cause even more mucus. In contrast, breast milk contains antibodies to these ailments, as well as being highly digestible and not contributing to excess mucous formation.
67. More sleep for mom (believe it or not!)
68. More sleep for baby (again, believe it or not!)
A baby that gets its night time needs met quickly is more likely to get right back to sleep than a baby who has to wait for a bottle while crying and swallowing air.
69. More sleep for dad
Again, even if he helps with baby burping, diapering, and toting, there are no bottles to deal with. Also, breastfed babies tend to need much less burping after the first few months.
70. Less equipment to maintain and store
71. Less equipment to buy
72. Breast milk has never been recalled
73. Fresh breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria
In fact, it has antibacterial properties.
74. No need to worry about which brand is better
75. No need to worry about adding contaminated water
76. Breastfeeding helps reduce cruelty to farm animals
77. Facilitates proper dental and jaw development
78. Breastfed babies get fewer cavities
79. Less money spent on corrective orthodontia
80. Better speech development
81. Less chance of baby getting eczema
82. Breastfed babies have great skin
This is not based on a formal study. Check out the skin of a breastfed baby and see what you think.
83. Less gastrointestinal reflux (Spit-up)
84. Easier to clean spit-up stains
O.K. This is only based on a casual survey of a lot of breastfeeding mothers. We notice that the hand-me-down clothes we receive from bottle-fed babies have nasty brown staining all over the collars and fronts. Our breastfed babies never created these sorts of spit-up stains. How many newborn breastfed babies do you see wearing bibs all the time?
85. Breast milk contains no genetically engineered materials
86. Contains no synthetic growth hormones
87. Lack of breastfeeding associated with multiple sclerosis
88. Less chance of inguinal hernia
Breastfeeding is protective against inguinal hernias. For unknown reasons breastfed babies experience significantly fewer of them. Human milk contains gonadotropin releasing hormone, which may affect the maturation of neonatal testicular function. One recent case control study showed breastfed infants had a significant dose response reduction in inguinal hernia. Pisacane, A. "Breast-feeding and inguinal hernia" Journal of Pediatrics 1995:
Vol 127, No. 1, pp 109-111
89. Better cognitive development
90. Better social development
91. Decreased risk of baby developing urinary tract infections
92. Suckling optimizes hand-to-eye coordination
93. Protects mothers against anemia (iron deficiency)
Since many exclusively breastfeeding mothers do not begin to menstruate for a year or longer their iron stores are not depleted by monthly bleeding.
94. Less money spent on menstrual supplies
95. Self confidence booster for mom
There is nothing more amazing than looking at a plump six month old baby and knowing that the only nutrition this happy little creature has received has come from your own body.
96. Breast milk is good for combating eye infections
Breast milk contains natural antibiotic qualities, and many mothers swear that a squirt in the irritated eye of their baby has cleared up the problem in short order.
97. Breast milk is a good natural antibiotic for wounds
98. No worry about latest ingredient discovered to be missing from formula
"Formula" is really a formula for synthetic human milk. There is no real formula that can duplicate human milk because, as the FDA said recognized in a recent statement "...the exact chemical makeup of breast milk is still unknown."
"Formula-fed infants depend on products which can be quite different from each other, but which are continually being found deficient in essential nutrients... These nutrients are then added, usually after damage has occurred in infants or overwhelming market pressure forces the issue." M. Walker, R.N., International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, The Journal Of Human Lactation, Sept 1993
99. Much nicer diaper changes
The bowel movements of breastfed babies smell mild and inoffensive. The same can not be said about those of formula fed babies. Try changing a few formula fed babies if you are uncertain about wanting to try breastfeeding!
Again, this is not a scientific study. Their is something almost magical about the scent of your own breastfed baby, whether you're the mother or father involved. Try it, you'll like it!
101. It's what breasts were designed for!
*some of the academic content removed. See promom.org for complete references.
1 comment:
Just to reiterate just how natural breastfeeding is and how it should be a nurtured instinct, I stumbled across this video when I was on a breastfeeding forum. It's a youtube video and it shows how babies instinctively will find their way to their mother's breast if only given the chance. I remember my children doing this when they were first born too and thinking it was just the most miraculous thing! I used to purposely put Cole on my chest and let him "go hunting" just because it was so amazing!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zrwfIcPB1u4
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