Breastfeeding — Best For Baby. Best For Mom.
Whether you are a new or expecting Mom, if you are on this section of the web site, you're probably interested in giving your baby the best care you can. And one of the best things that only you can do is to breastfeed for as long as possible. While breastfeeding isn't the only option for feeding your baby, every mother has the potential to succeed and make it a wonderful experience. Or maybe you are the partner or a family member of a breastfeeding Mom and would like to learn more about breastfeeding. You've come to the right place! Here we provide practical, helpful breastfeeding information. Dive into our resources to find out how breastfeeding can be one of the most important things you do for both you and your baby!
Why Should You Breastfeed Your Baby?
Best for Baby
A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein
that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it
easier to digest breast milk than they do formula. Breast milk has agents
(called antibodies) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses
and to help them fight off infection and disease. Human milk straight
from the breast is always sterile.
Best for Mom
Breastfeeding saves times and money. You do not have to purchase, measure,
and mix formula, and there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the
night. Breastfeeding also helps a mother bond with her baby. Physical
contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm
and comforted. Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose
the pounds gained from pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back
to its original size more quickly and lessens any bleeding a woman may
have after giving birth. Breastfeeding also may lower the risk of breast
and ovarian cancers.
The U.S. Surgeon General Recommends Breastfeeding
The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that babies be fed with breast milk only — no formula — for the first 6 months of life. It is better to breastfeed for 6 months and best to breastfeed for 12 months, or for as long as you and your baby wish. Solid foods can be introduced when the baby is 6 months old, while you continue to breastfeed.
