Maternal Child Health ‹ Breastfeeding ‹ Benefits
Breastfeeding Benefits
Breastfeeding is a healthy choice for lots of reasons
For your baby
- Less illness – fewer ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, colds, flu
- Little or no constipation
- Less risk of obesity and weight problems when your baby is older
- Less risk of diabetes when your baby is older
For yourself (mom)
- Less chance of hemorrhaging after your baby is born
- Less time post partum bleeding
- Smaller uterus quicker – so your stomach will be flatter sooner
- Possible delayed return to monthly periods
- Possible weight loss
- Easy night time feedings
For your family
- Less illness to share among family members
- Money saved by not buying formula
- Money saved by not needing extra doctor visits and medicine
Your community
- Less illness to be shared in the community
- Less time from work or school because of a sick baby
- Fewer health dollars spent on illness
The future
- Less diabetes and fewer weight problems
- Fewer health dollars spend on long term problems like diabetes and other
- weight related problems
American Academy of Pediatrics new guidelines on breastfeeding
(Please refer to the article links in this article for further information)
Site Coordinator: BrestfeedingWebAdmin@ihs.gov
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