Provides Breastfeeding Peer Helpers, support from other moms who have breastfeeding experience and received specialized training. Also offers a lending library, hospital grade and electric breast pumps, telephone support and a WIC Food Package.
Health Services | Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | Well Child Clinic
BREASTFEEDING FACTS
The number of benefits to both mother and child resulting from breastfeeding is staggering. Although most people would generally agree that breastfeeding is good for the baby, the following summary of the impact it has on mothers, babies and society will, undoubtedly, come as quite a surprise to many people:
HEALTH BENEFITS TO MOMS WHO BREASTFEED
| Reduced risk of breast & ovarian cancers |
| Reduced risk of anemia |
| Protection against osteoporosis & hip fracture later in life |
| Helps return mothers body to its pre-pregnancy state faster |
| Helps delay return of fertility and space subsequent pregnancies |
| Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child |
| Breast milk is free – reducing or eliminating the cost of formula |
| Breastfed babies are sick less, thus reducing healthcare costs to family and requiring less time off work. |
| Decreased mortality of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation. |
HEALTH BENEFITS TO BABIES WHO BREASTFEED
| Human milk provides children with the most complete & optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies |
| Breast milk has a varying composition which keeps pace with the infant’s growth & changing nutritional needs |
| Protects against diarrhea, gastroenteritis and other stomach upsets |
| Reduced risk of diabetes |
| Protection against ear infections & respiratory illness |
| Reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) |
| Protects against meningitis, childhood lymphoma, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative entercolitis |
| Reduced incidence and severity of allergic disease |
| Babies enjoy a special warm bonding & emotional relationship with mothers |
| Breastfeeding plays a important role in the emotional development of babies |
| Babies develop high IQ’s, better brain & nervous system development |
| Breastfeeding lessens the risk of heart disease in later life |
| Increased bone density |
BENEFITS TO THE ENVIRONMENT & SOCIETY
| Breastfeeding reduces the cost of healthcare by promoting healthier children & mothers |
| Breastfeeding reduces global pollution by reducing the use of resources and energy required to produce, process, package, distribute, promote and dispose of material created by artificial baby milk |
| Reduces tax burden on communities & government to ensure children are properly fed |
| Reduced absenteeism in the workplace due to children’s illnesses |