Breastfeeding and Other Health Issues for New Moms

Date 04 Jan, 2010

The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services lists the benefits of breastfeeding:

Exerpts from Melinda Johnson, American Dietetic Assn. and Dr. Ruth Lawrence, Professor of Pediatrics & Obstetrics-Gynecology @ University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.

1. Breast milk strengthens your baby’s immune system. A protein called CD14 helps your baby’s antibody-making defense system.
2. Breast milk is alive with helpful microbes (germs). Breast-fed babies' stomach and intestines carry different type of bacteria that can play a protective role.
3. These intestinal microbes may reduce your baby from developing allergies later in life
4. There may be some some evidence that breast-fed babies may be less likely to develop obesity.
5. Breast-feeding moms’ brains release certain hormones (happiness chemicals) during breastfeeding.
6. Breast milk is the perfect food for the growing child. A type of fatty acid called Omega-3 fatty acid helps develop the baby’s nervous system.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100104/hl_hsn/forbabyandmomalikebreastfeedingmaybebest
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