In accord with the intent of World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1-7, 2007) to draw attention to the importance and values of breastfeeding, I submit the following:
“The most suitable milk for an infant is that of his own mother.” W. D. Virtue, Mother and Infant, 1995, 238-9.
There is more evidence that breastfeeding IS excellent for baby’s health LATER IN LIFE. Breastfeeding has long-term benefits.
Research has already confirmed that breastfeeding provides clear short-term benefits to the child against morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. However, there is a continuing debate regarding the long-term benefits of breastfeeding.To determine the long-term consequences of breastfeeding, the World Health Organization commissioned two independent studies in Switzerland and in Brazil. Breastfeeding studies restricted to “infant” outcomes were excluded.
Those persons who had been breastfed were more likely to experience the following benefits: a lower mean blood pressure and total cholesterol, a higher performance in intelligence tests, and a lower prevalence of overweight/obesity and type-2 diabetes.
Click here to download the report.
The message today is: Please breastfeed your baby for his benefit. The benefits from breastfeeding will last for years to come.
Sheila Kippley
NFP International
www.NFPandMore.org
Author: Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood (Sophia, 2005)
Natural Family Planning: The Question-Answer Book (e-book
at this website, 2005)