Breast milk is the best food you can give your baby during the first year of life. Breast milk provides all an infant’s nutritional needs and transfers antibodies from mother to baby that protect against a long list of infectious diseases. Over time, breastfed babies are less likely to develop chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and allergies. And breastfed babies are less likely to become overweight children than their bottle-fed counterparts.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding infants for at least the first year of life and, after that, for as long as is “mutually desirable.” La Leche League International maintains that the health benefits to babies will continue as long as they are breastfed.

You can begin to introduce solid foods at six months, but if you stop breastfeeding before your baby’s first birthday, be sure to switch to formula, not cow’s milk. Children younger than one year old should not be given cow’s milk; as they can’t yet process the proteins.

The latest development in formula has been the addition of two fatty acids found in breast milk: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), both supplied to the fetus during pregnancy through the placenta. Babies who are breastfed continue to receive these two essential nutrients (especially when mothers eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids). Some research suggests that DHA and AA are correlated with higher IQ scores and that deficiencies may be linked to slow growth, skin problems, and poor visual development.

Here’s an additional factor to consider: it appears that the more babies a woman has and the longer she nurses them, the lower her risk of breast cancer. We’ve known for a long time that breastfeeding is good for babies. Now we know that it’s good for mothers, as well.

Additional Breastfeeding Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• La Leche League International
• March of Dimes
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

HELPFUL BREASTFEEDING TIPS

It’s important to remember that breastfeeding is an individualized experience, meaning what works well for one mother may not work for another. Below are a few tips on helping you succeed at nursing your baby. If you’re still having trouble or have questions, we suggest you consult your doctor or midwife.

• Start as soon as possible after delivery to take advantage of your newborn’s strong sucking instincts. In addition, at this stage your breast milk contains colostrum, which helps protect your baby from disease.
• Nurse often, about 8 to 12 times per 24 hours, and on demand.
• Place your nipple and areola in your baby’s mouth, not just your nipple.
• Breastfeed your baby even when he or she is sick so that vital nutrients are still provided and to avoid dehydration.
• Avoid cracked nipples by using breast milk for a moisturizer instead of soap and air drying them after each nursing session.
• Stay healthy with proper diet and plenty of rest. Nursing mothers expend about 500 extra calories a day, so be sure that you eat and drink enough.