Link http://www.fresnobeehive.com/opinion/2007/04/breastfeeding_its_good_for_our.html

The research is conclusive -- breastfeeding is one of the best things mothers can do to ensure their babies get a healthy start in life. Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese, have healthier immune systems, less likely to get asthma -- the list goes on and on. The American Academy of Pediatrics says this:


" Extensive research, especially in recent years, documents diverse and compelling advantages to infants, mothers, families, and society from breastfeeding and the use of human milk for infant feeding. These include health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychological, social, economic, and environmental benefits.

Best of all -- it's free! How often do you get a deal like that in life?

Fortunately, lots of folks are encouraging mothers to breastfeed by making it easier on them. For example, they provide comfortable little areas where moms can nurse in a quiet and private spot. Others just let them know that their business is forward-thinking, family friendly and the mothers are encouraged to feed their little ones if needed. There is even a little sign you can post outside your church, office or business to let mothers know that breastfeeding is encouraged there. Edie Jessup of Fresno Metro Ministry has put one up at their office and challenged other congregations, organizations and businesses to do the same. I got an e-mail from her recently that said she's getting a very good response to her challenge.

Would you like to send a healthy message? Here's the Web site, where you can download the icon. www.mothering.com/sections/action_alerts/iconcontest/icon-pictures.html

Want to know more of the benefits? They're pretty impressive. Here's a list from Wikipedia

Benefits for the infant The health benefits of breastfeeding are well documented.
Breast-fed babies have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other diseases. Suckling at the breast encourages the proper development of the infant's teeth and speech organs. Suckling also helps prevent obstructive sleep apnea. Also, breast milk is at the right temperature and is immediately available from the breast.

Breastfeeding is associated with lower risk of the following diseases:

Allergies[21]
Asthma[8][20]
Autoimmune thyroid diseases[22]
Bacterial meningitis[8]
Breast cancer[19]
Celiac disease[23]
Crohn's disease[24]
Diabetes[8][20]
Diarrhea[8][20]
Eczema[25]
Gastroenteritis[26]
Hodgkin's lymphoma[8][20]
Necrotizing enterocolitis[8]
Multiple sclerosis[22]
Obesity[8][20]
Otitis media (ear infection)[8][20]
Respiratory infection and wheezing[8][20]
Rheumatoid arthritis[27]
Urinary tract infection[8]
Breast milk has several anti-infective factors. These include the anti-malarial factor para-amino benzoic acid (PABA),[28] the anti-amoebic factor BSSL,[29], lactoferrin, the second most common protein in human milk, that binds to iron and inhibits the growth of intestinal bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, [30][31] and IgA which protects breastfeeding infants from microbial infection.[32]

Breast milk contains the right amount of the amino acids cystine, methionine and taurine that are essential for neuronal (brain and nerve) development. [33] A New Zealand study tracking over 1000 children for 8 to 18 years found small but measurable increases in cognitive ability and education achievement. This remained even after adjusting for other factors (such as maternal education level).[34]

One study suggests that in resource-poor settings where safe infant formula is unavailable, exclusive breastfeeding (as compared with "mixed" feeding where breastfeeding is combined with formula, solids or animal milk) may reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child in infants less than 6 months old.[35]

Unlike human milk, the predominant protein in cow's milk is beta-lactoglobulin, an important factor in cow milk allergies. [36]


_________________
Executive Director
American Sleep Apnea Association
6856 Eastern Avenue, NW Ste. 203
Washington, DC 20012
202-293-3650