World Breastfeeding Week

If you look around you, you’ll likely notice at least one pregnant woman at the zoo, the grocery store, your office or maybe within your family.  I know at least 3 women expecting babies in August and ironically, August 1st through 7^th is world breastfeeding week.  While baby formula has come a long way with the addition of omega-3-fatty acids for brain growth and soy formula for lactose intolerance, here’s why breast is still best.

• Babies receive an optimal mix of nutrients and antibodies from breast milk, including calcium, iron, protein and B vitamins.  Antibodies protect against disease and allergies and cannot be “added” to infant formula.
• Infants that are breastfed have a 20% reduction in risk of dying in their first year of life than those that were not breast fed.  The longer you breast feed, the lower the risk.
• Breastfed infants have lower rates of ear infections, respiratory infections and stomach viruses than formula-fed infants.  They also seem to suffer less colic.
• Breast milk is free!  While it will take some effort and commitment on the mothers’ part to breastfeed, it will cost significantly less than formula-feeding.
• Breastfed children have lower rates of obesity than formula-fed.  This is likely due to self-regulation.  Babies eat when they’re hungry.  Formula-fed infants may be overfed because they may be given a bottle when they are not hungry.  Along with the reduction in obesity risk is a reduction in diabetes, certain cancers and a variety of gastrointestinal issues.

Read more about breastfeeding this month in “Bite this, not that” for best breast milk!