Breast Feeding
In Favor of Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding has become a political lightening rod, igniting debates across a wide spectrum of social issues. Sadly the critics of mothers' breast feeding their children have forgotten about the most important person involved: the baby. There are a myriad of studies pointing to the many psychological, psychological and mental development benefits of this practice, with several provided below.
First, it is a proven medical fact that the nutrients in mother's milk help to alleviate and naturally immunize a baby from a long list of illnesses. Breast milk is packed with many nutrients that babies need the first six months of life to establish and strengthen their immune systems. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that mother's breast feed their babies the first six months of life. There is also evidence that break feeding also helps the mother to become more immune to disease as well.
Second, break feeding can help babies develop immunity to allergies and other potentially harmful elements in the environment. The American Academy of Pediatrics has observed that children who are breast-fed are more likely to also have stronger resistance to food-based allergies later in life, mainly due to the nutrients in mother's milk.
Third, there are also a myriad of studies showing that mother's milk helps a...
The intelligence of breast fed babies has on average been above those who are bottle fed based mainly on the nutrients and superior levels of protein they ingested early in their lives. Studies have shown that children breast-fed have higher reading and math test scores in the first 18 and 36 months of life compared to their counterparts. There is also ample evidence that break feeding enables enzymes in the brain that lead to faster brain development and growth.
Fourth, it is widely known that breast feeding also releases the chemical oxytocin in mothers. This chemical creates a sense of nurturing and relaxation, and has also been known to reduce postpartum depression. Women who breast feed have a higher probability of coping with postpartum depression while enabling their babies to be healthier as well. It is ironic that women who don't breast feed are often given this chemical to treat postpartum depression. Studies by the American Academy of Pediatrics also found that continued doses of oxytocin lead to lower blood pressure in mothers and can help their immune systems as well. From this perspective, breast feeding is a win/win for the baby and other.
Fifth, breast feeding can help to reduce a child's potential for being obese as studies have shown that breast milk contains less insulin…
