Health |
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Breastfeeding Benefits Health And More |
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4/29/2009
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Breast milk has disease-fighting cells called antibodies that help protect infants from germs, illness, and even SIDS. Not only is breastfeeding a healthy choice for babies, it provides benefits for moms, too.
For babies, breastfeeding has been shown to lower the risk of ear infections, stomach viruses, diarrhea, respiratory infections, asthma, obesity, Types 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and more. Moms also see a decreased risk for Type 2 diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer and postpartum depression.
Aside from breastfeeding's health benefits, there are also lifestyle and economic advantages to consider. Breastfeeding eliminates the need to buy, measure and mix formula. (No bottles to warm in the middle of the night!) Eliminating the need to purchase baby formula can also save parents between $1,160 and $3,915 per year, depending on the amount and brand of formula they would have bought.
For more breastfeeding benefits, visit www.womenshealth.gov.
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