Breastfeeding 1
Breastfeeding: the best thing you could do for your child
Executive Summary
Breastfeeding 2
The National Women’s Health Information Center supports breastfeeding and its positive health
benefits for both the mother and child. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics;
"Human milk is species-specific, and all substitute feeding preparations differ markedly
from it, making human milk uniquely superior for infant feeding... Pediatricians and
parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal
growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides
continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Breastfeeding
should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually
desired by mother and child... Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive
cow's milk but should receive iron-fortified infant formula." 1
There is no substitution for human milk. It provides numerous health benefits for children and
mothers and is less expensive than the alternative.
History
Before the industrial revolution, breastfeeding was the only mechanism used for feeding
infants. It was not until 1850 that the first commercial artificial baby milks were available.2 For
thousands of years man relied on human breast milk for survival. Mothers and wet nurses were
concerned with providing adequate nutrition for their children.
Throughout history, many alternatives were tried but the infants almost always died.
Every generation has tried to modernize this natural process with other substitutions. In 1970
there was a huge decline in breastfeeding rates due to the commercialization and mass
advertising of artificial products.3 In a 2008 survey of infants who were 19-35 months, 74
percent were breastfed at birth and 43 percent were breastfed at six months.4
Benefits for the child
1
What are the recommendations about infants drinking milk other than human breastmilk?.
(2008, April). ProCon.org. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://milk.procon.org/ viewanswers.asp?questionID=822
2
Breastfeeding Timeline. (n.d.). National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy. Retrieved March
2, 2009, from http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/images/Timeline.pdf
3
Wright, N. E. (2008). A Look at Breastfeeding: Past, Present and Future. In Breastfeeding Articles. Retrieved
March 3, 2009, from http://www.breastfeeding.org/articles/alookat.html
4
Breastfeeding Benefits & Barriers: Breastfeeding Statistics in the United States . (2008). Breastfeeding Basics.
Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.org/cgi-bin/deliver.cgi/content/Introduction/sta_us.html
Breastfeeding 3
Breast milk provides the perfect amount of nutrition for infants. This natural product
includes the appropriate amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and hormones
that infants need. The alternative comes from another animal: a cow. Thus, the infant will not
receive the essential nutrients in the necessary amount.5 Breast milk is more easily digestible
than any other substitute and it alters in composition to meet the changing nutritional needs of
the infant. 6
In a 2008 study, it was confirmed that breast milk can reduce the risk of childhood
obesity. This study found that breastfeeding in infancy reduced obesity in 3-year-olds by 30
percent. John Reilly, PhD, a senior lecturer in the Division of Developmental Medicine at the
University of Glasgow Medical School, said “breastfeeding is an effective public health strategy
for dealing with the current obesity epidemic.”7 Formula feeding increases the likelihood for
childhood obesity. According to another study, children that were breastfed exclusively for at
least six months had a 60 percent risk reduction for becoming overweight compared with those
that were formula fed.” 8
Breast milk provides initial immunization that protects the infant from certain diseases
and infections. Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces the risk of diarrhea,
respiratory illnesses and ear infections. Using breast milk as opposed to a substitution may also
protect your baby from developing inflammatory bowel disease later in life.
Other studies have shown a correlation between lack of breastfeeding in infancy and later
development of Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. Breastfeeding may also reduce the
5
Breast Milk. (2008, November). MedlinePlus. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002451.htm
6
Benefits of Breastfeeding . (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.linkagesproject.org/technical/bf_benefits.php
7
Creighton, J. (2002, September). Benefits of breastfeeding confirmed in new research. Nations's
Health, 32(7), 1. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/ehost/
detail?vid=1&hid=104&sid=0ac07f5e-5aab-4f3b-93944dc2d13593b4%40sessionmgr109&bdata
=JmxvZ2lucGFnZT1Mb2dpbi5hc3Amc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl#db=aph&AN=7241559
8
Risks of Formula Feeding. (n.d.). World Breastfeeding Week. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.net/wbw2006/pdf/Risks__Final.pdf
Breastfeeding 4
likelihood of developing allergies, protect the child from Leukemia and Type 1 Diabetes, and
lower the baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).9 Infants that are breastfed have
fewer cavities and are less likely to need braces later in life.10 Infants who are not breastfed have
a 21 percent higher post-neonatal infant mortality rate in the United States and are more likely to
be sick more often and have more doctors’ visits.11
According to the National Institute of Health, “extremely low birth weight premature
infants who received breast milk shortly after birth, while still in intensive care units, had greater
mental development scores at 30 months than did infants who were not fed breast milk.
Premature infants fed breast milk were less likely to have been re-hospitalized after their initial
discharge than were the infants not fed breast milk.”12 Breastfeeding premature babies could
reduce the initial time spent in the hospital and the number of trips back to the hospital.
Not only does breastfeeding provide numerous health benefits for the child, it also
stimulates cognitive benefits as well. Breastfed children have been shown to score higher on IQ
tests and on tests of visual acuity.13 Overall, breastfeeding has a positive effect on an infant’s
biological and cognitive development.
Benefits for the mother
9
How breastfeeding benefits you and your baby. (2005, June). Baby Center. Retrieved March 2, 2009,
from http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc
10
Benefits of Breastfeeding. (n.d.). United States Breastfeeding Committee. Retrieved March 2, 2009,
from http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Issue-Papers/Benefits.pdf
11
Breastfeeding. (2009, February). Women'sHealth.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.womanshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=227
12
Bock, R. (2007, October). Breast Milk Associated With Greater Mental Development in Preterm Infants,
Fewer Re-hospitalizations . In National Institutes of Health. Retrieved March 9, 2009, from
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nichd-01.htm
13
Benefits of Breastfeeding. (n.d.). United States Breastfeeding Committee. Retrieved March 2, 2009,
from http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Issue-Papers/Benefits.pdf
Breastfeeding 5
Breastfeeding offers a wide range of benefits for the child as well as the mother. Women
who have breastfed are less likely to develop ovarian and pre-menopausal cancers.14
Breastfeeding mothers can also return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster than those that do not
breastfeed. Immediately after birth, the repeated suckling of the baby releases oxytocin from the
mother's pituitary gland. This hormone signals the breasts to release milk to the baby and
produces contractions in the uterus. These contractions prevent postpartum hemorrhage and
promote the shrinking of the uterus which initiates the return to normal weight. Bottle-feeding
mothers receive artificial oxytocin at birth, but for the next few days, while they are at highest
risk of postpartum hemorrhage, they are on their own.15 Mothers who bottle feed have their
periods back in six to eight weeks, whereas it takes longer for breastfeeding mothers to start their
cycles again.
Besides the health benefits for mothers, there are emotional upsides also. Breastfeeding
creates an irreplaceable bond between mother and child. It creates a secure-attachment
relationship and allows the baby to develop trust and dependence in the mother. What could be
more satisfying to a mother then knowing that they are providing their child with the best
nutrition possible?
Economic benefits
It is more affordable to use breast milk, but there are other ways that breastfeeding can be
economically beneficial. Children that are breast fed are less likely to get sick so parents will not
have to miss as many days from work nor will they have to pay for repeated doctor’s visits.
Cost per year16
14
Benefits of Breastfeeding. (n.d.). United States Breastfeeding Committee. Retrieved March 2, 2009,
from http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Issue-Papers/Benefits.pdf
15
Dermer, A. (2001, July). A Well-Kept Secret:Breastfeeding's Benefits to Mothers.
In La Leche League International. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.llli.org//NB/NBJulAug01p124.html
16 Johnson, S. (2001, December). Costs of Infant Feeding . In Breastfeeding Facts.
Breastfeeding 6
Breastfeeding (200-500 kcal/d)
Formula:
Powder (1 lb. can)
Concentrate (13 oz can)
Ready to feed (32 oz can)
Ready to feed (8 oz cans, 4-pack)
1 Child
$300
4.06 Million Infants
$1,218,000,000
$1,188
$1,512
$1,728
$2,376
$4,823,280,000
$6,138,720,000
$7,015,680,000
$9,646,560,000
Conclusion
Breastfeeding is often stigmatized by society as being inappropriate, especially when it is
done in a public setting. Those that judge do not realize the long list of benefits that
breastfeeding provides to both the mother and the child. It provides nutrients that formula
milk does not and creates a strong bond between mother and child. Also, when you
breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. Unlike human milk which comes
straight from the breast, infant formula has a chance of being contaminated.
"If a multinational company developed a product that was a nutritionally balanced and
delicious food, a wonder drug that prevented and treated disease, cost almost nothing to
produce and could be delivered in quantities controlled by the consumers' needs, the very
announcement of their find would send their shares rocketing to the top of the stock
market. The scientists who developed the product would win prizes and the wealth and
influence of everyone involved would increase dramatically. Women have been
producing such a miraculous substance, breast milk, since the beginning of human
existence."17
Mothers should start breastfeeding their infant immediately after birth. Breastfeeding can benefit
your child’s health and intelligence in the long run without emptying your wallet. Also, by
breastfeeding, one can return to their pre-pregnancy weight quicker than if they were bottlefeeding. Breast milk is the most beneficial thing you could do for your child and it is not an
alternative: it is the best option.
17
Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://www.breastfeeding.org/bfacts/costs.html
Breastfeeding. (n.d.). Kellymom.com: Breastfeeding & Parenting. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.kellymom.com/writings/breastfeeding/bfquotes.html
Breastfeeding 7
References
Benefits of Breastfeeding . (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.linkagesproject.org/technical/bf_benefits.php
Benefits of Breastfeeding. (n.d.). United States Breastfeeding Committee. Retrieved March 2, 2009,
from http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Issue-Papers/Benefits.pdf
Bock, R. (2007, October). Breast Milk Associated With Greater Mental Development in Preterm Infants,
Fewer Re-hospitalizations . In National Institutes of Health. Retrieved March 9, 2009, from
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/nichd-01.htm
Breastfeeding. (n.d.). Kellymom.com: Breastfeeding & Parenting. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.kellymom.com/writings/breastfeeding/bfquotes.html
Breastfeeding. (2009, February). Women'sHealth.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.womanshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=227
Breastfeeding Benefits & Barriers: Breastfeeding Statistics in the United States . (2008). Breastfeeding Basics.
Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.org/cgi-bin/deliver.cgi/content/Introduction/sta_us.html
Breastfeeding Timeline. (n.d.). National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy. Retrieved March
2, 2009, from http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/images/Timeline.pdf
Breast Milk. (2008, November). MedlinePlus. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002451.htm
Creighton, J. (2002, September). Benefits of breastfeeding confirmed in new research. Nations's
Health, 32(7), 1. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/ehost/
detail?vid=1&hid=104&sid=0ac07f5e-5aab-4f3b-93944dc2d13593b4%40sessionmgr109&bdata
=JmxvZ2lucGFnZT1Mb2dpbi5hc3Amc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl#db=aph&AN=7241559
Dermer, A. (2001, July). A Well-Kept Secret:Breastfeeding's Benefits to Mothers.
In La Leche League International. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.llli.org//NB/NBJulAug01p124.html
How breastfeeding benefits you and your baby. (2005, June). Baby Center. Retrieved March 2, 2009,
from http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-breastfeeding-benefits-you-and-your-baby_8910.bc
Johnson, S. (2001, December). Costs of Infant Feeding . In Breastfeeding Facts.
Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://www.breastfeeding.org/bfacts/costs.html
Risks of Formula Feeding. (n.d.). World Breastfeeding Week. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from
http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.net/wbw2006/pdf/Risks__Final.pdf
What are the recommendations about infants drinking milk other than human breastmilk?.
(2008, April). ProCon.org. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from http://milk.procon.org/
viewanswers.asp?questionID=822
Wright, N. E. (2008). A Look at Breastfeeding: Past, Present and Future. In Breastfeeding Articles. Retrieved March
3, 2009, from http://www.breastfeeding.org/articles/alookat.html