August is traditionally World Breastfeeding Month and this year World Breastfeeding Week was the week of August 1-7. Communities all over the world celebrate each year with virtual and real-life nurse ins, fundraising walks, and other activities. Check with your local La Leche League to see what activities are taking place in your area! In honor of this international event, here are the ABC's of breastfeeding, which share just 26 of the numerous benefits breastfeeding provides to baby, mom, family and community. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continuing to breastfeed for at least the first 2 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continuing to breastfeed for at least the first year.
The ABC's of Breastfeeding!
A - Antibodies
The antibodies in breast milk help protect baby from diseases mom has been exposed to.
B - Bonding
Breastfeeding produces mothering hormones that help mom and baby bond.
C - Cancer
Breastfeeding reduces a mother's risk of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer.
D - Disaster
Breastfeeding can be the difference between life and death
in a natural disaster or emergency, when clean water and electricity
may not be available.
E - Environment
Breastfeeding protects the environment because there is
no energy used to manufacture, package, ship, or heat breast milk and
no formula containers to fill up landfills.
F - Free! Breast milk doesn't cost a thing! Compare that to $1000 a year or more spent on formula.
G - Getting out
a breastfeeding mother can get out of the house with fewer things to pack in the diaper bag.
H - Hemorrhage
Breastfeeding within the first hour after birth can
reduce a mother's risk of hemorrhaging as breastfeeding causes a
release of oxytocin, helping the uterus to clamp down.
I - Illnesses
Breastfed babies are less likely to develop ear
infections, respiratory infections, Type 2 Diabetes, childhood obesity,
allergies, asthma, and other illnesses.
J - Jaundice
Breastfeeding is the best way to overcome jaundice.
Colostrum acts as a laxative which helps move bilirubin out of the
baby's system quickly.
K - Keeps fresh
Breast milk contains substances that keep it fresh for
up to 10 hours at room temperature and up to a week in the refrigerator.
L - Lowers blood pressure
The oxytocin produced by the breastfeeding mother can lower her blood pressure.
M - Menses
Breastfeeding can prevent postpartum menses for months.
N - Nutrition
Breast milk is perfectly made to contain all the nutrients, in the right amounts, that a baby needs.
O - Oral health
Breastfeeding helps promote healthy and normal growth
of the palate and jaw muscles to promote proper speech and jaw
alignment.
P - Post Partum Depression
Mothers who breastfeed decrease their risk and severity of post partum depression.
Q - Quick
No formula to mix, no bottles to prepare and heat. Breast milk is ready to serve at all times.
R - Relaxing
Breastfeeding is a quick and easy way to calm an upset baby.
S - Smarter
Children who were breastfed on average score higher on IQ tests.
T - Taste
Breast milk changes flavors based on mom's diet which introduces baby to a variety of tastes from early on.
U - Unexplained Death
Babies who are breastfed are at a decreased risk of dying from SIDS.
V - Varied
Breast milk is perfect for the nursing child at every age,
as it changes consistency throughout the nursing relationship to meet
their specific nutritional needs.
W - Weight loss
A woman uses around 500 calories a day producing breast milk which can help with postpartum weight loss.
X - Xtra special ingredients
Scientists are constantly discovering new
nutrients found in breast milk that are not included in formulas.
Y - Yeast
Breastfeeding can prevent some cases of yeast infections, also known as thrush.
Z - Zzzzzzz! Moms and dads get more sleep when they don't have to get out of bed to fix bottles for nighttime feedings!
With all of these benefits (and more!) that formula doesn't provide, it is critical that more mothers get the information and support they need to sucessfully breastfeed their children. For more information and support, go to www.llli.org to find a list of FAQ's about breastfeeding and to locate a local La Leche League group in your area. For more information about World Breastfeeding Week, go to www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org .
From Vallere's Kitchen!
Every mom loves a little chocolate, and with the anecdotal evidence that eating oatmeal can increase your milk supply, I thought this would be the perfect recipe for World Breastfeeding Week!
Boiled Cookies
2 c. sugar
½ c. milk
1 stick butter or margarine
4 Tbsp. cocoa
2 ½ c. quick oats
½ c. peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
¼ c. chopped nuts (optional)
Mix sugar, milk, butter and cocoa in a medium pot over high heat until it comes to a rolling boil. Let boil 90 seconds. Reduce heat to low and add oats, peanut butter, vanilla and nuts. Stir until smooth. Drop by heaping spoonful onto waxed paper and allow to cool.
Yum!
I think taut would be another great word, for the way that breastfeeding brings everything back to where it ought to be. It also keeps such a sweet line between mama and baby. I had my first daughter in 9/04, second in 5/06 and third in 4/08. I am happy to still be breastfeeding, but I do see the end in the next 6 months. It's been a beautiful, indescribable ride.
Posted by: amanda | August 10, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Congrats to you, Amanda! Assuming you've been nursing since the birth of your first, you've effectively reduced your risk of breast cancer by almost 25%!
Posted by: Vallere Shelton | August 10, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Hi
After analyzing data on lactation and breast cancer risk, the researchers said that the evidence is now "convincing" that breastfeeding lowers the risk of both pre-menopausal and post- menopausal breast cancer. Thank you for sharing this article, this is very informative.
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