Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the only way I would ever contemplate feeding an infant. I do not feel that formula feeding should be an option for a healthy mother. I feel that the choice to formula feed is selfish and totally inexcusable. I may sound opinionated and harsh, but I am tired of people being so selfish and lazy with their children. As adults we would never considered using something totally inferior when something 100% better is available and it is free.

Reasons to Breastfeed

FOR YOU You will heal faster after birth
Breastfeeding helps to shed pounds after birth
Breastfeeding is economical
No preparation
Closeness
No temperature worries

FOR BABY Breastmilk is the BEST nutrition for an infant to receive.
Children that are breasted have fewer illnesses and allergies.
Children that are breastfed have superior intellectual development. The longer the breastfeeding the better the development.
Children that are breastfed have better dental health.
Breastmilk is gentle on baby's developing digestive tract.

Did you Know??
That some Doctors give formula companies your information?

In a lot of countries direct advertising to pregnant women from formula companies is against the law?

A study in Italy found that not breastfeeding increased significantly rates of Salmonella?

Infants that are breastfed have extra protection against Crohn's disease, types of influenza and celia sprue.

The suggested weaning age for mammals is the gestational period times six(5.5 years)?

Breastfed children do a lot better on the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities .

American Academy of Pediatrics Report Excerpt

This is from the AAP report, which you can find in its complete form at http://www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html I really feel that this information on the protective qualities of breastfeeding will sway anyone towards breastfeeding who is harboring doubts and needs to be convinced further. I highly suggest on checking out this report, it is really informative and well written.

Epidemiologic research shows that human milk and breastfeeding of infants provide advantages with regard to general health, growth, and development, while significantly decreasing risk for a large number of acute and chronic diseases. Research in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other developed countries, among predominantly middle-class populations, provides strong evidence that human milk feeding decreases the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea,1-5 lower respiratory infection,6-9 otitis media,3,10-14 bacteremia,15,16 bacterial meningitis,15,17 botulism,18 urinary tract infection,19 and necrotizing enterocolitis.20,21 There are a number of studies that show a possible protective effect of human milk feeding against sudden infant death syndrome,22-24 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus,25-27 Crohn's disease,28,29 ulcerative colitis,29 lymphoma,30,31 allergic diseases,32-34 and other chronic digestive diseases.35-37 Breastfeeding has also been related to possible enhancement of cognitive development.38,39

I hope that this information may have helped someone decide that breastfeeding really is the best way to go. Here are some Breastfeeding Links I would like to share with you.

The Compleat Mother

INFACT

La Leche League

Pro MOM

HipMama