Happy mothers,breastfed babies

Happy mothers – breastfed babies

“ Breastfeeding is the ideal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development .” World Health Organization

Colostrum: perfect food for the newborn and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age. WHO and UNICEF have recommended for a decade that mothers breastfeed for at least two years .

Bulgaria Norway Sweden USA Netherlands Sources: Baby Milk Action, Cambridge, England; Center for Breastfeeding Information, Schaumburg, IL, 2007 6 months or longer Great Britain Canada Poland % of breastfed babies

To help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to mother support, encouragement, information, and education and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. La Leche League “ “

Mothering through breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of understanding and satisfying the needs of t he baby . 1

Mother and baby need to be together early and often to establish a satisfying relationship and an adequate milk supply. 2

In the early years, the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which is as basic as his need for food 3

Breast milk is the superior infant food. 4

For the healthy, full-term baby, breast milk is the only food necessary until baby shows signs of needing solids, about the middle of the first year after birth. 5

Ideally, the breastfeeding relationship will continue until the baby outgrows the need. 6

Alert and active participation by the mother in childbirth is a help in getting breastfeeding off to a good start . 7

Breastfeeding is enhanced and the nursing couple sustained by the loving support, help, and companionship of the baby’s father . A father’s unique relationship with his baby is an important element in the child’s development from early infancy. 8

Good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural state as possible. 9

From infancy on, children need loving guidance which reflects acceptance of their capabilities and sensitivity to their feelings . 10

babies are born to be breastfed

“ In emergency and relief situations breastfeeding is of critical importance: it saves babies’ lives. Artificial feeding in these situations is difficult and increases the risk of malnutrition, disease, and infant death.” International Baby Food Action Network Web site.

babies are born to be breastfed

Breastfed babies have better cognitive development and higher

Babies breastfed for six months are 43% less likely to be overweight as children

Human milk feeding reduces the risk of type 1 and type 2 diabetes .

Breastfeeding protects against ear infections, diarrhea, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, allergies, asthma, and some childhood cancers.

Reduces a mother’s chance of postpartum hemorrhagi ng 20 % reduction in breast cancer from breastfeeding one child Mothers who formula feed are 4 times more likely to develop osteoporosis Breastfeeding aids in child spacing Reduces a mother’s chance of developing uterine or cervical cancer Help mothers lose weight Why to breastfeed?

* Human milk is a natural renewable resource and all baby needs for the first six months of life; * It requires no packaging, shipping, or disposal ; * No energy is wasted producing artificial baby milk and related products; * No land needs to be deforested for pasture or crop production; * It does not create pollution from the manufacturing process; * It helps space babies by suppressing fertility of the mother. * Saves money BREASTFEEDING PRESERVES PRECIOUS RESOURCES