Breast is Best

Breastfeeding Facts

Breastmilk is the best food for infants and small children:

• Reduces the risk of allergic reations and asthma
• Provides babies with the most easily digested food
• Promotes healthy growth and development
• Studies indicate a higher I.Q. among breastfed babies
• Protects against cancer and diabetes
• Transmits mother's immunities
• Leads to fewer ear and respiratory infections
• May protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Yields health benefits that last a lifetime
• Reduces crying and colic
• Reduces cause of abuse and abandonment
• Allows mom time to cuddle and nurture her baby
• Mother's milk changes throughout the duration of nursing to meet the baby's specific needs at a given time
• Diapers have less offensive odor
• Mother's milk is the safest food for infants in any emergency

Breastfeeding is best for mothers:

• Releases prolactin: the calming, "mothering" hormone
• May delay ovulation and menstruation
• Protects against breast and ovulation cancer
• Helps uterus get back to pre-pregnancy size and shape
• Allows mothers to miss fewer work or school days because baby is sick less often
• Creates a special time for mother-baby bonding
• Less time preparing bottles
• Permits mothers to get more sleep at night (if baby shares bed)

Breastfeeding is best for families:

• Saves money in formula and health care costs
• Leads to healthier baby and mother
• Allows mother to spend more time with entire family
• Can offer a special bonding tie for siblings and fathers, too
• Makes for easier traveling
• Makes comforting baby easier - less crying

Breastfeeding is best for the world:

• Uses a natural resource
• Protects the environment: no packaging, no plastics, no waste
• Yields healthier work force for the future
• Requires no storage
• Saves tax dollars by decreasing health care costs

Information provided by: 2007 Department of State Health Services