Originally published February 23 2006
Breastfeeding boosts babies' immune systems
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Northwest Indiana Times looks at the health benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers.
The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Pediatric Association insist that an exclusive diet of breast milk for the first six months of life can boost and protect a child's immune system in lasting ways like nothing else can.
UNICEF recommends breast-feeding for at least two more years.
What's more, nursing also showers mom with health benefits, including reducing certain cancers, hypertension and possibly diabetes.
This country skipped breast-feeding for several generations, favoring instead man-made formulas purportedly better for babies (even if those formulas were simply cow's milk with Caro syrup).
Breast-feeding offers unparalleled nutrition and unique defense for the child's immune system, even when mom's health is at its poorest.
Breast-feeding has been shown to be protective against illnesses like painful ear infections, upper and lower respiratory ailments, allergies, intestinal disorders, colds, viruses, staph, strep and E. coli infections, diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, many childhood cancers, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, salmonella and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Since the benefits of breast milk are dose-related, the child will continue getting its magical protective and immune-boosting benefits as long as she or he is nursing.
The Le Leche League, the international gold standard for breast-feeding education and advocacy, reports further that if the mother nurses, individual households can save nearly $1,000 in health care costs during a baby's first year.
A mother who nurses can look forward to less post-partum fatigue, depression and blood loss, not to mention an easier time returning to her pre-pregnancy weight and a decreased risk of pregnancy.
There's also compelling evidence that breast-feeding lowers the risk for hypertension and breast and ovarian cancer, and possibly diabetes.
"It's amazing nutrition and protection for the child, it's also great for mom."
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