How Breastfeeding Benefits all Members of Society

No doubt you have heard the expression "Breast is best". We know that breast milk is better for babies and breastfeeding is best for moms too reducing their risk of breast cancer. What is less obvious is how breastfeeding benefits our society as a whole. How is breastfeeding beneficial and to whom? Read on to find out.

Breast is best for babies. There are so many ways that breastfeeding benefits babies now and later physically and it also has emotional benefits. Here are just some of the benefits of breastfeeding for babies.

• Breastfeeding provides antibodies and immunity for babies against diseases and illnesses early in life.
• Breastfeeding reduces a child's risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis before age 15 according to the NRDC. 
• Breastfeeding prevents obesity.
• The risk of asthma and allergies is reduced in people who were breastfed. 
• Breastfeeding contributes to emotional wellness by promoting a strong bond between mother and child. A study published in Pediatrics reveals that the longer a child is breastfed, the less likely they are to suffer abuse at the hands of their mother, which makes sense since breastfeeding promotes closeness for the mother and the breastfed child. 
• Breastfed babies are less likely to be addicts as adults.
• According to Dr. Sears, "Children who were breastfed have I.Q. scores averaging seven to ten points higher than formula-fed infants."

Breastfeeding benefits moms. Breastfeeding has benefits for mothers as well. Nature's rewards for breastfeeding your babies include:

• Breastfeeding helps a mother's uterus shrink to its pre-pregnancy size faster which means the cramping, after pains following delivery will be over with sooner. 
• Breastfeeding helps moms lose the baby weight. Breastfeeding burns calories and while breastfeeding moms are advised to take in additional calories, part of the calories used to produce milk are taken from the mother's fat reserves helping moms shed the baby weight. 
• Breastfeeding can improve a mother's mood and promote a strong bond with her baby. The "love drug" oxytocin is released in a mother's body while nursing strengthening her bond with her baby and improving her mood.
• Breastfeeding reduces a mother's risk for certain types of cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. According to breastfeeding.com, "A study by Yale University researchers showed that women who breastfed for two years or longer reduced their risk of breast cancer by 50 percent."

Breastfeeding benefits the rest of us. So how does breastfeeding benefit anyone other than the breastfeeding mother and the breastfed child? 

Source: drmomma.org via Rachel on Pinterest

• More women breastfeeding means a healthier, more intelligent next generation and that is always a good thing for our society. 
• Breastfeeding saves families money. 
• Families who choose breastfeeding are more productive in the work place missing less days at work to tend to a sick child. This translates into more money earned for the family and the company they work for. It is a win win for employers and employees. 
• Breastfeeding saves tax payers money. More mothers breastfeeding means less tax money spent on WIC vouchers for infant formula. While infant formula companies do offer rebates on wholesale prices for WIC, American tax payers do contribute to paying for infant formula. Half of all infant formula is purchased by WIC. Millions of dollars a month could be saved if all babies on WIC were breastfed. Considering only 1-5% of women are actually unable to breastfeed, paying only the cost of infant formula for women who are really incapable of breastfeeding and covering the cost of infant formula would save tax payers millions of dollars every month or billions each year.
• Breastfeeding saves tax payers money in health care costs for treating illnesses that breastfeeding prevents. According to MedPageToday, "Poor compliance with breastfeeding recommendations costs the nation at least $13 billion each year, with nearly all of the cost related to infant morbidity and mortality, according to a comprehensive economic analysis." and "Even 80% adherence would save $10.5 billion and prevent 741 deaths each year, they reported online in Pediatrics."
• Infant formula requires the use of our natural resources in its production and distribution. Breastfeeding benefits all inhabitants of the planet we share and is the ultimate eco-friendly, natural baby food. 

References and Further Reading:  


Benefits of Breastfeeding Natural Resources Defense Council NRDC


Breastfed Babies: Why Breastfed Babies are the Cream of the Crop Breastfed Babies


Breastfed Babies Less Likely to Suffer Abuse or Neglect Baby Gooroo


7 Ways Breastfed Babies Become Healthier Adults Ask Dr. Sears


How Breastfeeding Builds Brighter Brains Ask Dr. Sears


The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Moms What to Expect


Calories Burned from Breastfeeding About


Breastfeeding Helps Moms Lose Weight WebMD 


Reviewing Mom's Health Benefits of Breastfeeding Dummies


You Will Have Less Chance of Breast Cancer and Other Cancers Breastfeeding