Breast Feeding Facts

Children

• Score higher on IQ tests at grade school level and on tests of visual acuity
• lower incidence of SIDS
• Less likely to suffer from diarrhea, ear infections,respiratory tract infections, & meningitis
• Suffer less from certain forms of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease
• Protected significantly against eczema and asthma
• Lower risk of obesity
• Less cavities and lower risk of races and speech problems due to the way jaw and tongue work during suckling
• Provides natural immunities
• Human milk is made for human babies!

Women

• Reduces osteoporosis
• Reduces the risk of anemia
• Less likely to develop ovarian and premenopausal breast cancer
• Exclusive breastfeeding is a great form of natural family planning
• Breastfeeding is free and always available!

Society

• Breastfeeding promotes bonding and a more calm and relaxed momma, happy babies and mommas=happy families
• Estimated cost of powered formula is $1,200 a year.
• Estimated cost of breastfeeding is $300 a year for the nutritional needs of the momma
• Electricity and fuel along with packaging associated with formula harm the environment whereas breasstfeeding needs none of these for production
• $578 million dollars in federal funds are spent on providing formula to WIC clients that are not breastfeeding
• $2 billion per year is spent by families on formula
• Breastfeeding reduces the need for costly medical services covered by insurance companies, government agencies, or families