(More) Breastfeeding statistics

Benefits of breastfeeding  (follow-up to previous post)



For Baby
1.  Protects Against Infection
2.  Protects Against Illnesses
3.  Protection From Allergies
4.  Enhances Development and Intelligence

For Mother
1.  Delays Fertility
2.  Decreases risk of Breast Cancer
3.  Decreases risk of Uterine Cancer
4.  Decreases risk of Ovarian Cancer
5.  Decreases risk of Endometrial Cancer
6.  Emotional Health (less anxiety)
7.  Decrease Insulin Requirements in diabetics
8.  Decreased Osteoporosis
9.  Promotes Postpartum Weight Loss
10. No bottles and formula to organize, sterilize and carry everywhere.
11. Less expensive

For Society
1. Optimum Child Spacing
2. Improved Vaccine Effectiveness
3. Financial Savings to Government and Families (Food Expenses, Medical Expenses)
4. More Ecological (Less use of natural resources [glass, plastic, metal, paper]; less waste in landfills.)
5. Less Child Abuse
(Source: http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_more.html)

Benefits of bottle feeding
1. More sleep for mom
2. Mom can eat/drink what she likes
3. Mom can go out (leave baby with sitter)
4. Baby needs fewer feedings
5. Mom knows how much baby is eating
6. Mom doesn't have to deal with latch issues, sagging breasts, episodes of discomfort
7. Allows others to "bond with baby."