Mother's Helper

Description

What are the major benefits for my baby if I breastfeed? taken from the The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Dr. Jack Newman Because breastmilk is designed for human babies it contains all the nutrients a baby's brain needs to reach its maximum potential. Researchers have studied babies who were breastfed for varying lengths of time and found that intelligence scores were higher (on average) for babies who were breastfed longer. Studies have shown that when formula or cow's milk is not introduced into the baby's diet until he is older, the baby is less likely to develop diabetes. Researchers have found that feeding a baby with formula increases the risk of the baby dying from SIDS. Feeding your baby with formula is a risk factor for developing asthma and puts him at higher risk of other respiratory illnesses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). He also takes longer to recover from these illnesses than do breastfed babies. Formula feeding has been repeatedly shown to be a risk factor in developing ear infections. These can be very painful for the baby and can lead to further complications which may affect the baby's hearing and speech development. Formula significantly increases a baby's risk of diarrhea caused by various infections, and babies who are fed artificially also take longer to recover from these illnesses. On the other hand formula is also much more likely to cause constipation and painful bowel movements. Breastfed babies have a better response to vaccinations and produce more antibodies. Formula fed babies are much more likely to become obese as children and teens and are at greater risk of colitis, meningitis, eczema, certain types of heart disease and allergies. *Where can I get help and advice about breastfeeding? La Leche League groups meet on a monthly basis and are a great source of information and support for pregnant women as well as breastfeeding moms. To find a La Leche League contact in your area go to www.lalecheleague.org , for NE Ohio LLL NE Ohio If you need hands-on help with breastfeeding, contact an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. In the Cleveland Ohio area, Mother's Helper makes home visits to work with you and your baby. Or you can contact a Lactation Consultant at the hospital where you delivered your baby. *How long should I breastfeed? How long you breastfeed is up to you and the baby: breastfeed for as long as you like! Avoid the nay-sayers who will say, "Are you STILL breastfeeding that baby?" and even "You must be getting some kind of emotional (or physical or psychological) thrill from this." Only mom and baby can decide when. The American Academy of Pediatrics in their paper Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk published in February of 2005 recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies at least a year and longer if desirable American Academy of Pediatrics . The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends up to 2 years; some cultures continue to breastfeed for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years. Note that breastfeeding a toddler is a whole different experience from breastfeeding an infant.

Products & services

Similar companies nearby