Benefits of breastfeeding for your baby:
- breastfed babies have been shown to have higher IQs
- enhances immune function and prevents infections
- promotes development of a healhty digestive tract and prevents constipation
- babies who are breastfed have lower rates childhood diabetes, obesity, autism and ADHD, asthma, allergies
- decreases risk of ear infections
- protects against SIDS
- is important for healthy tooth development
Benefits of breastfeeding for Moms:
- facilitates bonding with baby
- helps to control bleeding after birth and helps uterus to return to its normal size after birth
- women who breastfeed have lower rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer
- promotes healthy weight regulation after delivery
Benefits of breastfeeding for families and the community:
- much more cost effective than formula
- very convenient
- environmentally friendly
- breastfed babies are often sick less which means fewer lost days of work for parents