An excerpt from LLLI's THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING, 7th revised edition, pages 6
When you breastfeed your baby, you're providing him with the best possible infant food. No product has ever been as
time-tested as mother's milk. Human milk contains all the nutrients your newborn needs and is more easily digested
and assimilated than any other infant food. As reassuring as this is, superior nutrition is only one of the many
advantages you and your baby gain from breastfeeding.
Putting your newborn to the breast within minutes after delivery causes the uterus to contract and reduces the flow of
blood. It also results in the uterus getting back to shape more quickly than it would if you were not breastfeeding.
With his small head pillowed against your breast and your milk warming his insides, your baby knows a special
closeness to you. He is gaining a firm foundation in an important area of life -- he is learning about love.
As his tiny mouth eagerly milks your breast, your baby is performing an exercise that promotes the proper
development of his jaw and facial structure. Breastfeeding also encourages a normal weight gain for your particular
baby, which is good insurance against a future tendency toward obesity.
There is no better safeguard for your baby against the onset of allergies than breastfeeding. A diet of your milk alone
for about the first six months of life readies his body for other foods. Human milk protects your baby against infection
in his still maturing system. With fewer health problems, you can look forward to having a happier baby. Many of these
benefits are explained more thoroughly in later chapters.
Brain development is essential for the human infant and human milk contains all of the right components to aid the
development of baby's brain and nervous system. One study showed that premature infants who had been given
human milk scored significantly higher on IQ tests at age 7 1/2 and 8 years of age than children who had not been fed
human milk. Another study showed that higher IQs continued into adulthood.
For a woman, breastfeeding was meant to follow pregnancy and childbirth. The milk-producing breast represents a
healthy progression in the natural sequence of reproduction that includes pregnancy, birth, and lactation. Nursing
mothers find that breastfeeding is a naturally pleasurable experience.
The mother who is totally breastfeeding -- not giving formula supplements or solid foods -- will find that her menstrual
periods will probably be delayed for six months or more after her baby's birth, especially if baby nurses often. During
this time, a mother will have very little chance of becoming pregnant.
Breastfeeding uses up extra calories and a breastfeeding mother's metabolism changes, which enables most mothers
to loose weight gradually without dieting.
Breastfeeding also protects a mother from certain health problems. Studies show that mothers who breastfeed for
even a few months are less likely to develop breast cancer than women who have given birth but never breastfed.
Breastfeeding also protects against ovarian cancer, urinary tract infections, and osteoporosis.
Breastfeeding results in an appreciable saving of time, effort, and money when compared to formula feeding. Minutes
and hours of a mother's time are not diverted to the preparation of baby's milk. Feeding the baby is a time to relax.
Day and night, automatically and accurately, milk is made and stored in the breasts. The temperature is always ideal;
the supply is pure and practically unlimited.
Breastfeeding helps us appreciate the different yet complementary ways that men and women can participate in
raising a child. If you have older children, breastfeeding the baby contributes toward their sex education. For a parent,
it is an educational process itself, of a rank and value equal to a course of study at any prestigious institution of
learning.
Breastfeeding is the best start in life for a baby. Unlike so much that is considered "best" and is often beyond one's
wildest dreams, in this instance the best is yours to give.
When you breastfeed your baby, you're providing him with the best possible infant food. No product has ever been as
time-tested as mother's milk. Human milk contains all the nutrients your newborn needs and is more easily digested
and assimilated than any other infant food. As reassuring as this is, superior nutrition is only one of the many
advantages you and your baby gain from breastfeeding.
Putting your newborn to the breast within minutes after delivery causes the uterus to contract and reduces the flow of
blood. It also results in the uterus getting back to shape more quickly than it would if you were not breastfeeding.
With his small head pillowed against your breast and your milk warming his insides, your baby knows a special
closeness to you. He is gaining a firm foundation in an important area of life -- he is learning about love.
As his tiny mouth eagerly milks your breast, your baby is performing an exercise that promotes the proper
development of his jaw and facial structure. Breastfeeding also encourages a normal weight gain for your particular
baby, which is good insurance against a future tendency toward obesity.
There is no better safeguard for your baby against the onset of allergies than breastfeeding. A diet of your milk alone
for about the first six months of life readies his body for other foods. Human milk protects your baby against infection
in his still maturing system. With fewer health problems, you can look forward to having a happier baby. Many of these
benefits are explained more thoroughly in later chapters.
Brain development is essential for the human infant and human milk contains all of the right components to aid the
development of baby's brain and nervous system. One study showed that premature infants who had been given
human milk scored significantly higher on IQ tests at age 7 1/2 and 8 years of age than children who had not been fed
human milk. Another study showed that higher IQs continued into adulthood.
For a woman, breastfeeding was meant to follow pregnancy and childbirth. The milk-producing breast represents a
healthy progression in the natural sequence of reproduction that includes pregnancy, birth, and lactation. Nursing
mothers find that breastfeeding is a naturally pleasurable experience.
The mother who is totally breastfeeding -- not giving formula supplements or solid foods -- will find that her menstrual
periods will probably be delayed for six months or more after her baby's birth, especially if baby nurses often. During
this time, a mother will have very little chance of becoming pregnant.
Breastfeeding uses up extra calories and a breastfeeding mother's metabolism changes, which enables most mothers
to loose weight gradually without dieting.
Breastfeeding also protects a mother from certain health problems. Studies show that mothers who breastfeed for
even a few months are less likely to develop breast cancer than women who have given birth but never breastfed.
Breastfeeding also protects against ovarian cancer, urinary tract infections, and osteoporosis.
Breastfeeding results in an appreciable saving of time, effort, and money when compared to formula feeding. Minutes
and hours of a mother's time are not diverted to the preparation of baby's milk. Feeding the baby is a time to relax.
Day and night, automatically and accurately, milk is made and stored in the breasts. The temperature is always ideal;
the supply is pure and practically unlimited.
Breastfeeding helps us appreciate the different yet complementary ways that men and women can participate in
raising a child. If you have older children, breastfeeding the baby contributes toward their sex education. For a parent,
it is an educational process itself, of a rank and value equal to a course of study at any prestigious institution of
learning.
Breastfeeding is the best start in life for a baby. Unlike so much that is considered "best" and is often beyond one's
wildest dreams, in this instance the best is yours to give.
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| About THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING from LLLI |
Filled with time-tested parenting information, along with personal stories from mothers, and fully backed by health care
professionals, THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING is the definitive guide to breastfeeding for new mothers who
want to understand and satisfy their babies' needs. Newly revised and updated, this classic book contains the latest
scientific research on the health benefits of breastfeeding and offers support, encouragement, and guidance to new
parents.
THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING is modestly priced and available for purchase at most LLL Group
Meetings (7th edition), as well as through the La Leche League International Online Catalog. It's also a perfect gift for
new mothers!
professionals, THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING is the definitive guide to breastfeeding for new mothers who
want to understand and satisfy their babies' needs. Newly revised and updated, this classic book contains the latest
scientific research on the health benefits of breastfeeding and offers support, encouragement, and guidance to new
parents.
THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING is modestly priced and available for purchase at most LLL Group
Meetings (7th edition), as well as through the La Leche League International Online Catalog. It's also a perfect gift for
new mothers!
Please send comments or suggestions to Carla. The La Leche League logo is a registered trademark of La Leche League International.
Used with permission. Last modified July 15, 2010.
All rights reserved.
Used with permission. Last modified July 15, 2010.
All rights reserved.
Why Breastfeed?
Best for Baby
BEST FOR YOU
Best for Baby
BEST FOR YOU
| La Leche League of Georgia |
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| The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding Completely Revised & Updated 8th Edition is now available to order from the LLLI store! Buy it now! |
