101 Reasons to Breastfeed

There was a paper written Leslie Burby called 101 Reasons to Breastfeed. Below is a shorter version, more of just a list of 101 reason on why you should have breastfed babies.

1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it
2. Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby
3. Breastfeeding satisfies baby’s emotional needs
4. Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition
5. Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of breast cancer
6. Formula feeding increases baby girls’ risk of developing breast cancer in later life
7. Formula Feeding is associated with lower I.Q.
8. Breast milk is always ready and comes in a nicer package than formula does
   Need we say more?
9. Breast milk helps pass meconium
10. Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby’s immune system.
11. Breast milk is more digestible than formula
12. Baby’s suckling helps shrink mother’s uterus after childbirth
13. Baby’s suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage in mother
14. Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is born
15. Pre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants
16. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it
17. Breastfeeding protects against Crohn’s disease (intestinal disorder)
18. Formula feeding increases risk of baby developing type I (juvenile, insulin-dependent) diabetes
19. Breastfeeding baby helps decrease insulin requirements in diabetic mothers
20. Breastfeeding may help stabilize progress of maternal endometriosis
21. Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of developing ovarian cancer
22. Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of developing endometrial cancer
23. Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies
24. Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma
25. Formula feeding increases baby’s risk of otitis media (ear infections)
26. Formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (S.I.D.S.)
27. Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections
28. Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis
29. Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections
30. Formula fed babies have a higher risk of developing certain childhood cancers
31. Breastfeeding decreases chances of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
32. Breastfeeding decreases child’s chances of contracting Hodgkins disease
33. Breastfeeding protects baby against vision defects
34. Breastfeeding decreases chances of osteoporosis
35. Breast milk is aids in proper intestinal development
36. Cows milk is an intestinal irritant
37. Formula-fed babies are more at risk for obesity in later life
38. Breastfed babies have less chance of cardiopulmonary distress while feeding
39. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing ulcerative colitis
40. Breast milk protects against hemophilus b. bacteria
41. Breastfed babies require shorter pre and post-surgical fasting
42. Breastfeeding results in less sick days for parents
43. Breastfeeding enhances vaccine effectiveness
44. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing necrotizing enterocolitis
45. Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive
46. Breastfeeding is easier than using formula
47. Breast milk is free
48. Formula is expensive (approx $120/mo)
49. Formula costs the government (and taxpayers) millions of dollars
50. Breast milk is always the right temperature
51. Breast milk always has the right proportions of fat, carbohydrates and protein
52. Breast milk acts like a natural tranquilizer for baby
53. Breastfeeding acts like a natural tranquilizer for mom
54. Breast milk tastes better than formula
55. Breastfed babies are healthier over-all
56. Breastfed babies are less likely to die before their third birthday
57. Breastfed babies require fewer doctor visits
58. Breastfeeding mothers spend less time and money on doctor visits
59. Fewer waste packaging products
60. No bottles to tote:  Have milk will travel.
61. Less cow induced global greenhouse gasses
62. No need to refrigerate
63. Cows milk is designed for baby cows
64. Human milk is designed for baby humans
65. Natural pain relief for baby
66. Perfect food for sick baby
67. More sleep for mom
68. More sleep for baby
69. More sleep for dad
70. Less equipment to maintain and store
71. Less equipment to buy
72. Breast milk has never been recalled
73. Fresh breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria
74. No need to worry about which brand is better
75. No need to worry about adding contaminated water
76. Breastfeeding helps reduce cruelty to farm animals
77. Facilitates proper dental and jaw development
78. Breastfed babies get fewer cavities
79. Less money spent on corrective orthodontia
80. Better speech development
81. Less chance of baby getting eczema
82. Breastfed babies have great skin
83. Less gastrointestinal reflux (Spit-up)
84. Easier to clean spit-up stains
85. Breast milk contains no genetically engineered materials
86. Breast Milk contains no synthetic growth hormones
87. Lack of breastfeeding associated with multiple sclerosis in later life
88. Less chance of inguinal hernia
89. Better cognitive development
90. Better social development
91. Decreased risk of baby developing urinary tract infections
92. Suckling optimizes hand-to-eye coordination
93. Protects mothers against anemia (iron deficiency)
94. Less money spent on menstrual supplies for mom
95. Self confidence booster for mom
96. Breast milk may help combat eye infections
97. Breast milk may be a good natural antibiotic for wounds
98. No worry about latest ingredient discovered to be missing from formula
99. Much nicer diaper changes
100. Breastfed babies smell fantastic.
101. It’s what breasts were designed for!