“Born into a world teeming with germs and infections, a newborn’s strongest defense comes from colostrum, the substance produced in the first few days after birth, which provides the baby’s first immunization.” (UNICEF, 1992)
- A nursing baby takes in 100 million live cells per day. Many of these cells survive for 48 hours or longer. (The Nursing Mother’s Guide to Weaning)
- Breastfeeding provides the perfect food for your baby. Mother’s milk contains all the nutrients in the right amount needed by your baby.
- Breastmilk is specifically designed to accommodate the development of a baby’s brain and nervous system.
- One study, which followed both breastfed and formula-fed babies, showed that by eight years of age, the breastfed babies had an IQ of at least ten points higher than the formula-fed babies.
- Breastfed babies have fewer allergies.
- Breastfed babies have fewer illnesses as human milk contains antibodies that protect your baby.
- Breastfeeding promotes proper tooth, gum, jaw and palate development.
- Breastfed babies thrive on the close body contact.
- Baby has more pleasant smelling stools and less spitting up.
- Breastfeeding is economical. The money saved breastfeeding your baby for one year will buy a major household appliance.
- Breastfeeding is convenient. Breastmilk is always ready. There is nothing to buy, carry, measure or heat.
- Breastfeeding is better for the environment. For every three million formula-fed babies, 450 million cans of formula are used---resulting in 70,000 tons of un-recycled metal. (The Politics of Breastfeeding)
- Breastfeeding helps a woman’s uterus return to its non-pregnant state.
- Breastfeeding delays the return of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
- Breastfeeding offers women protection against breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
- Breastfeeding is enjoyable for mother, baby and father.
- Night feeding can be done in bed with minimal disturbance to mother and father.
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