It's still the best...

Breasfeeding is the Gold Standard!

In a report from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, published in Medication and More newsletter (Oct. 2009), we are reminded of some of the benefits to mom and baby. There is no substitute that even comes close.

"...There is much research that provides valid
evidence of the many benefits of breastfeeding for
mothers and infants. The benefits for infants and
young children include reduced incidence of infections
- respiratory tract (72%), gastrointestinal infections
(64%), ear infections (50%), atopic dermatitis (42%),
asthma (27% for infants, 40% for children), diabetes
(19%-39%), obesity (7% in infants and as much as 27%
in children), sudden infant death (SIDS) (36%), and
childhood leukemia (15% for infants and as much as
19% for children) (AAP, 2005; Chug, Raman, Chew,
DeVine, Trikalinos, Lau, 2007). Newer research
reviewed by the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on
Childhood Obesity (IOM, 2009) provides evidence
that breastfeeding is an important early intervention
strategy to reduce childhood obesity. Other studies
have provided evidence that breastfeeding has been
associated with slight increases in performance on
cognitive development tests, especially in preterm
infants ( Anderson, Johnstone, & Remley, 1999;
Horwood, Darlow, & Mogdridge, 2001; Mortensen,
Michaelson, Sanders, & Reinisch, 2002). Children of
color, i.e., African American, Hispanic, and Native
American, suffer the greatest heath disparities related
to SIDS, asthma, and obesity, and their mothers often
have the lowest breastfeeding initiation and/or
duration rates, as well as the highest preterm delivery
and infant mortality rates.

Maternal benefits for breastfeeding include
decreased bleeding after delivery, quicker return of
reproductive organs to pre-pregnant state, and quicker
return to pre-pregnant weight (AAP, 2005).
Breastfeeding is also associated with decreased risk for
certain cancers - breast cancer (28%) and ovarian cancer
(21%) Chung et al., 2007). Other studies suggest there
may be the potential for decreased risks for osteoporosis
(Patton, Alexander & Nowson, 2003)."

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