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Back to N W H I C 		Benefits of Breastfeeding

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

There are many benefits to breastfeeding. Even if you are able to do it for only a short time, your baby's immune system can benefit from breast milk. There are many other benefits of breast milk for a mother, her baby, and others . . .

View the complete text and printable version of Benefits of Breastfeeding.

Text last updated June 2004

 

The following publications and organizations provide more information on the benefits of breastfeeding:

Publications

  1. A Well-Kept Secret- Breastfeeding's Benefits to Mothers (Copyright © LLLI) - This publication contains information on the benefits of breastfeeding to baby as well as the mother, including physiologic effects and long-term benefits.

  2. A Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding (Copyright © AAP) - This fact sheet encourages women to breastfeed, and provides practical information on topics such as, how to know if the baby is getting enough food, how to help the baby latch on, and being careful about your diet and medications while breastfeeding.

  3. Federal resource  Breast Milk - This publication contains information on breast milk, why it is better than regular milk, how breast milk is produced, and ways to establish, maintain or increase your milk supply.

  4. Breast-feeding and Bottle-feeding (Copyright © Kids Health) - This publication contains information on the benefits of breastfeeding, the pros and cons of bottle-feeding, instructions on how to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, as well as answers to common breastfeeding questions.

  5. Can Breastfeeding Prevent Illnesses? (Copyright © LLLI) - This publication contains information on how breastfeeding can prevent illnesses in your baby and the types of illnesses it can protect them from.

  6. Federal resource  Close to the Heart: Breastfeeding Our Children, Honoring Our Values - This publication contains information on why breastfeeding is important, benefits of breastfeeding, and how breastfeeding is a value held by Native American women.

  7. Federal resource  Feeding Baby with Breast Milk or Formula - This brochure helps parents decide on the way to feed their baby. Breastfeeding is the best, but if it's not possible, there are helpful tips for using formula.

  8. Feeding Your Newborn (Copyright © Kids Health) - This publication contains information on breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby, the advantages of breastfeeding, limitations of both, and possible problems.

  9. Got Mom... (Copyright © ACNM) - GotMom.org was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives to provide breastfeeding information and resources for mothers and families. It contains information on why breast milk is best, dispels common misunderstandings about breastfeeding, provides a list of resources that can help women and families breastfeed, information for employers and links to the latest research findings.

  10. Is My Breast-fed Baby Getting Enough to Eat (Copyright © Breastfeeding Basics) - This publication contains information on how to tell if your breastfed baby is getting enough to eat, including the different signs to help you tell that your baby is eating well.

  11. What Are the Advantages of Breastfeeding my Baby? (Copyright © LLLI) - This publication contains information on the benefits of breastfeeding, including the benefits for the baby, the mother, employers, and the environment.

Organizations

  1. African-American Breastfeeding Alliance

  2. American Academy of Pediatrics

  3. American College of Nurse-Midwives

  4. Breastfeeding Basics

  5. Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre

  6. International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)

  7. Kids Health

  8. La Leche League International

  9. Linkages Project

  10. Federal resource  Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA, HHS

  11. Federal resource  National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health, MCHB, HRSA, HHS

  12. National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition

  13. Federal resource  National Women's Health Information Center, OWH, HHS

  14. Federal resource  Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, (WIC) USDA

  15. University of Michigan Health System

  16. World Alliance For Breastfeeding Action

Federal resource = Indicates Federal Resources

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