8 Breast Feeding Benefits and The Long Term Effect
After looking at the benefits of breast feeding and the negative effects of not doing so, it's easy to see that breastfeeding is best for both your baby's health and your own. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of numerous diseases and help make babies healthier in general. And as for mum, breast milk contains antibodies which can protect her child from viruses, including HIV, rota virus, hepatitis-B virus, diphtheria toxoid (CDT), hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), influenza A+B virus (I A/B) etc. (1)
This article will look at some of the reasons why breast feeding is such a positive experience for both mother and baby and will then look at the long term effects it can have on you, your baby and your relationships with others. If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, or if you have a young child, read this article first!
Health Benefits Of Breastfeeding And The Long Term Effects On Mother And Baby | |
(1) Breastfeeding and Maternal Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Archives of Disease in Childhood , 2008; 93: 699-705. doi:10.1136/adc.2008.127218 by David M Reid, Elizabeth D Daley, Peggy Auinger and Joanne Murabito (2) Immunologic benefits of breast milk for the nursing infant , Pediatrics in Review , 2001; 22: 212-217 by Janna Burman, MD. (3) Breastfeeding and the risk of postneonatal death in the United States, The Journal of pediatrics , 2007; 151: 364-369. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.03.032 by Alison M Werzberger, Dr. Bruce D Haas, PhD.
(4) Breastfeeding and the risk of postneonatal death in the United States , The Journal of pediatrics , 2007; 151: 364-369. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.03.032 by Alison M Werzberger, Dr. Bruce D Haas, PhD.
(5) More Benefits of Breastfeeding , Journal Epidemiology and Global Health , 2008; 1:1-7. doi:10.1186/1744-9477-1-4 by Nauta H, Martikainen P, Tiittanen K (6) Breastfeeding and the risk of infectious diseases in infancy among children at high risk for HIV infection , The Journal of pediatrics , 2006; 149: 537-542. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.01.024 by Bruce D Haas, Alison M Werzberger, Dr. (7) Breast-feeding and pediatric cancer: evidence for a protective effect? , The American journal of clinical nutrition , 2003; 78(2): 561-567 by L. T. Chen (8) Breastfeeding and the risk of postneonatal death in the United States , The Journal of pediatrics , 2007; 151: 364-369. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.03.032 by Alison M Werzberger, Dr. Bruce D Haas, PhD. (9) Breastfeeding and the risk of postneonatal death in the United States , The Journal of pediatrics , 2007; 151: 364-369. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.03.032 by Alison M Werzberger, Dr. Bruce D Haas, PhD.
Conclusion:
Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for both you and your child, as well as helping them to adjust to the world around them and making it easier for you both to bond. While there are certainly some health risks involved, they are minimal compared with formula feeding and in most cases can be avoided with careful preparation. However, breastfeeding brings a number of rewards which cannot be measured in terms of money or health alone. Breastfeeding is one of the most natural ways to bond with your baby and one of the best ways to ensure his full health. It also helps you enjoy an intimate closeness with your child that formula feeding simply cannot provide.