Benefits of Nursing

Most everyone understands that breastfeeding is nature's best nutrition for infants.  Numerous studies suggest that a breastfed infant is better protected against certain illnesses and may be provided a leg up in other areas.

• Diarrhea
• Lower respiratory infections
• Middle ear infections
• UTI's
• Gastrointestinal disease in preemies
• SIDS
• Insulin dependent Diabetes
• Enhances cognitive development

Breastfeeding an infant is also beneficial to the Mother as well.

• Reduced hip fractures after menopause
• Less postpartum bleeding
• Reduced risk of ovarian cancer
• Reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer

There are also the obvious economic advantages as well. Families will save money by not having to buy infant formula which can run on average $20 a can.

"A minimum of $3.6 billion would be saved if breastfeeding were increased from current levels (64 percent in-hospital, 29 percent at 6 months) to those recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General (75 and 50 percent). This figure is likely an underestimation of the total savings because it represents cost savings from the treatment of only three childhood illnesses: otitis media, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis."

Breastfeeding is a healthier and cost saving choice.

Facts and figures cited are from; The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding: A Review and Analysis. By Jon Weimer. Food and Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Report No. 13. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/fanrr13/fanrr13.pdf