By Alysa Ferguson, MS, RD, CDE
The first week in August is World Breastfeeding Week, so we thought it would be a great time to celebrate the many reasons breastfeeding is beneficial to your family’s health. Of course, there are some reasons why families cannot or choose not to breastfeed. But if you are able and willing, here are some of the benefits that research has shown:
Benefits for Babies
- Breast milk is ideal nutrition for your baby. It even changes as your baby grows. Early milk is known as liquid gold, because it’s thick and rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. Mature milk is thinner but has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein to help your baby continue to grow.
- Breast milk is easier to digest. For most babies, especially premature babies, breast milk is easier to digest than formula. Formula is made from cow’s milk and it takes time for babies’ stomachs to adjust to digesting them. This can mean less spit-up and less gas, a win-win.
- Breast milk fights disease. Several components of breast milk protect babies from illnesses, including antibodies and hormones that cannot be replicated in formula. Breastfeeding lowers risk for several illnesses, including ear infections and asthma, obesity and type 2 diabetes. It also lowers the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Benefit for Mothers
- Breastfeeding is good for mom’s health. Research shows a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and postpartum depression. It also burns a lot of calories, making it easier to lose the extra pregnancy weight.
- Breastfeeding can feel great. Physical contact and bonding is essential for babies, but it also means quiet relaxing time for mom to bond with baby. The skin-to-skin contact can boost the mother’s oxytocin levels, helping milk flow and helping to calm the mother.
- Breastfeeding can save money. One container of formula can cost about $25, so monthly costs range from $60 to $100. In addition, breastfed babies are sick less often, which can mean lower health care costs and less days of missing work.
There are some benefits to society overall, including less infant deaths and lower medical costs for all. It is also better for the environment. For more information and support, visit WomensHealth.gov.
Alysa Ferguson is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. She can be reached at 631-727-7850 ext. 342 or at ah372@cornell.edu.