More moms breast-feeding today but stop too soon
The most recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that the percentage of women nursing rose slightly from 2000 to 2004, from 71% to 74%. According to the CDC, this is a new high and is based on almost 17,000 responses.
However, they also found that only about 30% of these moms are feeding breast milk alone by three months after birth, and by 6 months, only 11% are breast feeding exclusively.
The concern is that studies have consistently shown the benefits to the health of both babies and the mothers if babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 3 months and at least partially nursed the first 6 months. Formula hasn’t been shown to be as effective in protecting health as breast milk. Not only is the immune system strengthened, decreasing the likelihood of allergies and disease, but also helps develop jaw, teeth and speech development. As for the benefits for the mom, besides increasing the number of calories burnt during nursing, which can be as high as 500 calories a day, benefits of nursing has been shown to include reduced risk for breast and ovarian cancer. We won’t even discuss the benefits of cost savings!
The goal of the CDC is to have 60% of women to breast-feed exclusively for the first 3 months and 25% through 6 months.
Babies should not be given cows milk for the first 2 years of life because they are unable to digest the animal protein from cows milk. When babies are given cows milk too early, they tend to develop allergy and digestion problems that last their entire life.
If you are considering how you will feed your baby, be sure to have a serious discussion with your doctor or health professional to determine the best course of action for your situation.
For more on breastfeeding tips and benefits, go to these sites:
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/
http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html
http://www.lactationconnection.com/questions.htm
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/advantages.html
However, they also found that only about 30% of these moms are feeding breast milk alone by three months after birth, and by 6 months, only 11% are breast feeding exclusively.
The concern is that studies have consistently shown the benefits to the health of both babies and the mothers if babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 3 months and at least partially nursed the first 6 months. Formula hasn’t been shown to be as effective in protecting health as breast milk. Not only is the immune system strengthened, decreasing the likelihood of allergies and disease, but also helps develop jaw, teeth and speech development. As for the benefits for the mom, besides increasing the number of calories burnt during nursing, which can be as high as 500 calories a day, benefits of nursing has been shown to include reduced risk for breast and ovarian cancer. We won’t even discuss the benefits of cost savings!
The goal of the CDC is to have 60% of women to breast-feed exclusively for the first 3 months and 25% through 6 months.
Babies should not be given cows milk for the first 2 years of life because they are unable to digest the animal protein from cows milk. When babies are given cows milk too early, they tend to develop allergy and digestion problems that last their entire life.
If you are considering how you will feed your baby, be sure to have a serious discussion with your doctor or health professional to determine the best course of action for your situation.
For more on breastfeeding tips and benefits, go to these sites:
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/
http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html
http://www.lactationconnection.com/questions.htm
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/advantages.html
posted by Margie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT at
6:36 AM
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