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Benefits for the Child
Breastfed babies:
· get sick less often and get illnesses that are less severe
· are hospitalized less often and have a lower rate of mortality
· have a lower risk of diarrheal disease
· have a lower incidence of gastrointestinal illness
· have a lower risk of urinary tract infections
· have a lower incidence of respiratory disease
· have a lower incidence of otitis media (ear infections)
· have a lower incidence of allergies
· have lower rates of obesity
· have a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
· have fewer learning and behavior difficulties
·
have a lower rate of pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, and giardia
Breastfeeding:
· helps bond mother and child
· confers passive immunity
· is protective against measles and other communicable diseases
· provides optimal growth and neurological development
· prevents malocclusion/leads to better teeth/jaw development
· protects against hypothermia
· provides partial protection against necrotising entercolitis
· provides major protection against bacteremia and meningitis
· reduces the incidence of childhood lymphoma
· enhances visual development
· provides protection against neonatal sepsis
·
is less risky for premature babies and low birth weight babies
Artificially fed babies:
· have an increased risk factor for juvenile diabetes
· may have impaired antibody response to vaccines
· premature infants experience apnea & bradycardia more frequently
· have a higher risk of inflammatory illness
·
have a higher risk of celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative
colitis, cholera, and neonatal hypocalcemic tetany
Benefits for the Mother
Breastfeeding:
· bonds mother and child
· provides the mother with a hormone-induced contentment
· encourages efficient uterine contractions after childbirth
· allows mothers to lose pregnancy weight and size faster
· is convenient (the milk is pre-warmed, clean and always available)
· is cost-effective and saves families money
· contributes to natural family planning
· contributes to household food security
· fosters confidence and promotes self-esteem
· reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections
· is protective against cancer (breast, ovarian, cervical)
· lowers the incidence of chronic hepatitis
· reduces the risk of osteoporosis
·
reduces the requirements of insulin for lactating diabetic mothers
Benefits for the community
Breastfeeding:
· results in less environmental waste and pollution
· frees up health resources
· saves money for hospitals and health clinics
·
may decrease spending on imports