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Breastfeeding: Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies
Scientific research has identified a massive amount of compelling reasons to breastfeed.
The composition of human milk is unique and provides significant benefits to both mothers and babies. In addition, the process of breastfeeding imparts unique benefits to both a breastfeeding woman and her infant. Some of these many benefits are listed below.
10 Reasons to Protect, Promote, and Support Breastfeeding in Idaho 1. Increases IQ scores and improves school performance in children. 2. Decreases risk of obesity later in life for children. 3. Reduces risk for diseases, including diarrhea and respiratory, ear, and urinary tract infections in children. 4. Lessens the risk of breast and ovarian cancers for women. 5. Decreases risk of hip fractures in women. 6. Provides the optimal mix of more than 100 nutrients and antibodies. 7. Decreases the incidence and severity of allergies. 8. Lessens the risk of sudden death syndrome and juvenile onset diabetes for children. 9. Acts as an analgesic in healthy newborns during routine blood tests. 10. Decreases costs for families, employers, and society.
A family saves more than $683 in the first year of life per infant by not needing to purchase infant formula.
Employers save through a 27.3 percent reduction in absenteeism in employees who breastfeed and 35.7 percent fewer health care claims for breastfeeding employees and their infants.
An estimated $2.16 billion annually would be saved nationally as a result of less illness and disease.
We cannot afford not to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding! IDEAS for ACTION in IDAHO
Get involved in local community projects that promote and support breastfeeding in your area of the state.
Contact the Idaho Best Start Local Breastfeeding Promotion Council closest to you. Each council organizes world breastfeeding week activities annually and works on breastfeeding projects and issues in their local communities throughout the year.
Additional Articles/Resources
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Resources for Physicians and Health Care Provider Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - www.bfmed.org/ American Academy of Family Physicians - www.aafp.org/ Physician’s Breastfeeding Support Kit - www.aafp.org/cgi-bin/catalog.pl American Academy of Pediatrics - www.aap.org/advocacy/bf/brpromo.htm American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist - www.acog.org/ International Lactation Consultants Association - www.ilca.org/ Baby-Friendly USA - www.babyfriendlyusa.org Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative - www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/compend-babyfriendlywho.htm#tensteps Well Start International - www.wellstart.org/
Resources for Employers and Working Families National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies coalition: Worksite Models of Excellence 2000 - www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/coalition-hmhb.htm#moe Oregon Health Division Mother-Friendly Workplace Policy - www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/compend-oregon.htm Washington Business Group on Health - www.wbgh.org/ State Legislation – Summary - www.lalecheleague.org/LawMain.html Child Care Facilities and Breastfeeding Support - www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/compend-usda-bbwh.htm Safe Handling of Breastmilk - www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/abc/policie8.htm
Resources for Community Leaders and Families
Virtual Community for Breastfeeding Women and Families- www.breastfeeding.com/ ProMoM Promotion of Mother’s Milk - www.promom.org/ LaLeche League Mother-to-Mother Support and Inquiry Hotlines - www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/FAQMain.html
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies – State Coalitions - www.hmhb.org/ Colorado Breastfeeding Task Force - www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/coalition-co.htm Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles - www.breastfeedingtaskforla.org/ San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition - www.breastfeeding.org/bfcoalitions.html Coalition for Improving Maternity Services - www.motherfriendly.org/