A cost-analysis says that if 90% of American women breastfed their babies for the first six months, almost 900 babies would be saved each year, and billions of dollars would be saved.
"'The
health care system has got to be aware that breast-feeding makes a profound difference,' said Dr. Ruth Lawrence, who heads the American Academy of Pediatrics' breast-feeding section.The findings suggest that there are hundreds of deaths and many more costly illnesses each year from health problems that breast-feeding may help prevent. These include stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, juvenile diabetes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even childhood leukemia.
The magnitude of health benefits linked to breast-feeding is vastly underappreciated, said lead author Dr. Melissa Bartick, an internist and instructor at Harvard Medical School. Breast-feeding is sometimes considered a lifestyle choice, but Bartick calls it a public health issue.
Among the benefits: Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight infections; it also can affect insulin levels in the blood, which may make breast-fed babies less likely to develop diabetes and obesity." - Associated Press, CNN Health
To read the full article from CNN Health, including more reasons breastmilk is the perfect way to nourish your baby, click here.