Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding is the standard for infant feeding
The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months after birth, and continuing for 2 years or more, along with complementary foods introduced at about 6 months of age. Human milk keeps babies healthy and provides optimal nutrition.
What are the benefits of feeding my baby human milk?
- Healthy digestion, less constipation, diarrhea or upset stomach
- Optimal brain growth and cognition
- Adequate weight gain
- Jaw development and healthy teeth
What does human milk protect my baby from?
- Allergies and asthma
- Diseases, like diabetes and cancer
- Infections, like ear infections
- SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
How does breastfeeding keep lactating parents healthy?
- Protects against breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers
- Protects against osteoporosis and bone fracture
- Reduces the risk of postpartum depression
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
- Helps return to pre-pregnancy weight and keep extra weight off after weaning
- Helps the uterus return to normal size and decreases risk of excess blood loss
- Delays return of fertility in parents who are exclusively breastfeeding
- Reduces insulin needs in diabetic breastfeeding parents
- Builds self-confidence and bonding between parents and their baby
- Helps parent get more overall sleep
How is breastfeeding/chestfeeding good for the economy and the environment?
- Families save several hundred dollars compared to the cost of using artificial formula.
- Employers benefit from reduced employee absenteeism when parents take fewer sick days.
- Health care systems save money since breastfed/chestfeed babies require fewer sick care visits, prescriptions and hospitalizations.
How can I support breastfeeding?
- Encourage parents to breastfeed/chestfeed their babies and to prepare for breastfeeding/chestfeeding prenatally.
- Show a positive attitude about breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Be a role model for others.
- Become aware of the breastfeeding/chestfeeding support services in your community, so you can be a resource to breastfeeding mothers and their families.
- For Partners: Help parents understand how to support their breastfeeding/chestfeeding partners. A lactating parent is much more likely to continue breastfeeding/chestfeeding with their partner's support.
- Let the lactating parent's family members and friends know the important role they have in supporting breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
- Tell breastfeeding/chestfeeding co-workers that you applaud their decision to continue breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
- Offer help to new lactating parents.
- Smile or give a thumbs up to parents who are breastfeeding/chestfeeding in public places.
Source: Surgeon General's Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, and corresponding references.
*Studies on breastfeeding have included subjects presumed to be cisgender. When describing health effects seen in mother-infant dyads from research, replacing words to be gender-inclusive is incorrect if the original author or organization did not use such language. (Adapted from Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Position Statement and Guideline)