Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet

Family And Consumer Science

1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210

Breast Feeding...Your Best Choice

HYG-5294-97

Alma Montano Saddam, PhD, RD, LD

Breast milk is made by you, so it is the best food for your newborn baby.

The process of breast milk feeding is natural for human beings.

Breast milk serves special functions for babies:

• It contains many factors that can protect your baby from illnesses.
• It helps to build a good relationship between you and your baby.

If you choose to breast feed, your baby will have less of a chance of getting sick, and you will feel closer to your baby.

Breast Milk ...

IS NUTRITIONAL

• The nutrients in breast milk are easy for your baby to digest and absorb.

PROTECTS FROM DISEASE

• Breast milk has many factors that can protect your baby against respiratory problems, gastrointestinal problems, and middle ear problems.
• Breast milk will protect your baby from infections.
• Babies do not have allergic reactions to breast milk like they sometimes do to formula.
• Breast feeding can lower the risk of your baby having certain types of liver problems.
• Breast feeding can reduce your baby's chance of having diarrhea.

PROVIDES IDEAL GROWTH

• Breast-fed babies are less likely to be overweight.
• Breast fed babies typically grow normally.
• Bottle feeding will lead to a faster weight gain of your baby.
• Doctors feel that the slower rate of growth in a breast-fed baby is ideal for good health of the baby.
• Breast feeding can promote good jaw and tooth growth.

PROMOTES BONDING

• Breast feeding brings you in close contact with your baby.
• Your baby has the need to be close to you early in its life.

Benefits for you..

• Breast feeding can stimulate the contractions of the uterus which help to control blood loss after childbirth.
• Breast feeding can save you time. The total time needed for bottle feeding is longer because you have to make formula, clean bottles, and heat the feedings.
• Breast feeding helps you lose the weight you gained during pregnancy quicker.

Infant formula producers have been trying to make formulas similar to breast milk, but many qualities and benefits of breast milk are impossible to reproduce. So, breast feeding should be your first choice.