Why Breastfeed Your Baby?

Breastfeeding is a lifestyle– and a way of feeding your baby.  Breastfeeding has benefits for both baby and mother.  Health Canada recommends that your baby does not need anything but breastmilk for at least the first six months of life.  Breastfeeding can continue until your baby is 12 months old and beyond.

Breastfeeding: Best for Baby – Best for You

For the baby and growing child, breast milk:

● provides the best possible infant food.

● contains all of the nutrients and energy your baby needs, and changes to meet your 

    baby’s growing needs.

● is easy for baby to digest.

● promotes proper development of the jaw, teeth and facial structure.

● encourages a normal weight gain for baby which protects against future obesity.

● protects against chronic health problems such as allergies, sudden infant death 

   syndrome, diabetes,  asthma, arthritis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative 

   colitis, and dental cavities.

● protects against infection because living substances in breastmilk prevent the growth 

   of harmful bacteria and viruses in baby’s digestive system. 

● prevents babies from being sick and makes their illnesses less severe.  Breastfed 

   babies have fewer respiratory illnesses and less diarrhea and constipation.

● contains everything needed to help the development of baby’s brain.

● enhances attachment between mother and baby by providing lots of direct skin

   contact between mother and baby.  You cannot spoil your baby, so this physical  

   contact helps to build a secure, loving relationship.

For the mother, breastfeeding:

● causes less postpartum bleeding and less chance of anemia.

● uses up extra calories, allowing most mothers to lose weight gradually without dieting.

● protects a mother from health problems such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer,

   urinary tract infections, and osteoporosis.

● can continue when mothers return to work or school.

● saves a great deal of time, effort, and money.  Breast milk is always safe, fresh, and 

   exactly the right temperature.  Breast milk is always with you, making breastfeeding   

   convenient – especially in emergencies.

● produces naturally-soothing hormones which increase calmness, self-esteem, and   

   confidence.

For the family and community, breastfeeding:

● reduces costs to families – breastfeeding is free and readily available.  In comparison, 

   breast-milk substitutes (formula) cost $2000 - $3000 per child per year.

● protects the environment as breastfeeding is free from unnecessary packaging and 

   waste.

● improves the health and well-being of our community.

● decreases health care costs as breastfed babies have fewer physician and hospital 

   visits.

● improves productivity and reduces time away from work for parents because their

   breastfed children are healthier.

References:

INFACT Canada.  (2000).  Fact sheet: The benefits of breastfeeding.  [Online]. 

Accessed: July 20, 2004.  Available at: http://www.infactcanada.ca/Some Benefits of Breastfeeding.pdf

INFACT Canada.  (2000).  Fact sheet: Healthy babies.  [Online].  Accessed: July 30,

2004.  Available at: http://www.infactcanada.ca/Healthy Babies.pdf

Health Canada.  (1998).  10 great reasons to breastfeed [Pamphlet].  Ottawa, ON:

Health Canada.

Health Canada.  (2004).  Exclusive breastfeeding duration: 2004 health Canada

recommendation.  [Online].  Accessed: July 20, 2004.  Available at:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/onpp-bppn/infant_feeding_recommendations_ebf_e.pdf

La Leche League.  (1997).  The womanly art of breastfeeding (6^th ed.).  New York, NY:

Penguin Putnam Inc.

La Leche League.  (2003).  Frequently asked questions: The advantages of

breastfeeding.  [Online].  Accessed: August 9, 2004.  Available at:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/advantages.html

Olds, S.B., London, M.L., & Ladewig, P.A.  (2000).  Maternal newborn nursing: A family

and community-based approach (6^th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall,

Inc.

Sears, W., & Sears, M.  (2003).  The baby book: Everything you need to know

about your baby from birth to age two (2^nd ed.).  New York, NY: Little,

Brown and Company.