Breastfeeding: Best for Both Mother and

BabyHBHE 710

Colleen Jensen

Sarah Middlemas

Emily VonderPorten

Slide Background image source: http://flickr.com/photos/goetter/1353787707/

The Gold Standard:

• The “gold standard” of infant feeding is: • Breastfeeding exclusively for six months• Providing appropriate complementary

foods with continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond

Did You Know?

• According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), breastfeeding is ideal for infants

• Both mothers and babies gain many benefits from breastfeeding. (CDC)

Picture by Alexander Tundakov, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/tundakov/2550864384/

Amazing Breastfeeding Facts for Baby:

• Breast milk is easy to digest and contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections.

• Breastfeeding has been shown to be protective against many illnesses, according to the La Leche League (LLL), including:– Painful ear infections, respiratory ailments, allergies,

intestinal disorders, colds, viruses, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

– Lifetime protection from insulin dependent diabetes, and for girls, breast and ovarian cancer.

Picture by by dao hodac, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/hodac/308938750/

• When babies are born, their immune systems are underdeveloped…

• Through breastfeeding you pass your antibodies on to your baby, helping to keep your baby healthy and grow their immune system faster than bottle-fed babies (LLL).– Your body will also make and pass back to your

baby antibodies to germs that they are exposed to and pass to you, helping to protect your baby (LLL)

Amazing Breastfeeding Facts for Mother:

• Research indicates that women who breastfeed may have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers. (CDC)

• Breastfeeding delays the return of the menstrual cycle. (USDHHS)

• Breastfeeding mothers have increased self-confidence. (USDHHS)

Picture by Daquella manera, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/daquellamanera/2397006173/

• Breastfeeding uses up extra calories, helping mothers to lose weight after pregnancy. (USDHHS).

• Breastfeeding saves time and money. There is no formula to prepare or bottles to warm.

Picture by marjanhols. http://www.flickr.com/photos/afotografia/171237963/

• Breastfeeding mothers miss less work because their infants are sick less often. (USDHHS)

• Total health care costs in the United States are lower for breastfed infants than for formula fed infants. (USDHHS)

Amazing Breastfeeding Facts for Society:

• Breastfeeding benefits the environment.

No packaging or plastic involved!

• The estimated cost of formula is $1200 per year. Breast milk is free. (USBC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Breastfeeding Blog

http://milkingmothers.wordpress.com/

Breastfeeding Social network http://milkingmothers.ning.com