Breastfeeding Benefits

Breastfeeding is the most natural and beneficial way to nourish your baby. It provides essential nutrients that help your baby grow, develop, and stay healthy, while also offering numerous long-term health benefits for both mother and baby. Here's a look at some of the key advantages of breastfeeding:

1. Breastmilk is Your Baby's Perfect Food

Breastmilk is specifically designed for human babies, offering the perfect balance of nutrients to support their development. Babies who are breastfed for at least six months experience fewer health problems compared to those who are fed formula, including:

• Fewer ear infections
• Reduced urinary tract infections
• Lower risk of serious illnesses
• Fewer allergies
• Decreased risk of diarrhea and constipation

Breastfed babies also have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), childhood cancers, and diabetes. Human milk is easy to digest, meaning babies who are breastfed often spit up less and experience fewer stomach-related issues.

2. Breastfeeding Sets the Foundation for a Lifetime of Good Health

The benefits of breastfeeding extend far beyond infancy. Studies show that adults who were breastfed as babies have a lower risk of many health conditions, including:

• Less asthma
• Fewer allergies
• Decreased risk of diabetes
• Fewer skin problems, including dermatitis and eczema
• Lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes
• Less risk of developing ulcers and Crohn's disease
• Protection against chronic liver diseases

Additionally, breastfeeding has been shown to boost brain development. Babies who are breastfed tend to have higher IQs compared to those who were fed formula, offering them a stronger foundation for future learning and cognitive development.

3. Breastfeeding is Healthy for Mom

Breastfeeding not only benefits your baby but also supports your long-term health. Women who breastfeed experience a lower risk of several health conditions, including:

• Breast cancer: Nursing for at least two years can lower the risk of breast cancer by 40%, while breastfeeding for six years lowers the risk by 66%.
• Ovarian cancer: Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
• Osteoporosis (bone thinning): Breastfeeding helps protect against osteoporosis, maintaining stronger bones.

Breastfeeding offers many health benefits for mothers, helping reduce the risk of certain cancers and bone-related diseases while supporting overall well-being.

Give Your Baby the Best Start

Breastfeeding offers lifelong health benefits for both mothers and babies. By choosing to breastfeed, you give your child the best start in life, with improved immunity, development, and protection from a wide range of health issues. For mothers, breastfeeding also provides critical health benefits, lowering the risk of cancers, osteoporosis, and other chronic conditions.



At the Andrew County Health Department, we are here to support you on your breastfeeding journey, offering guidance, resources, and expert advice to ensure you and your baby thrive.

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