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.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it
- Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby
- Breastfeeding satisfies baby’s emotional needs
- Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition
- Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of breast cancer
- Formula feeding increases baby girls’ risk of developing breast cancer in later life
- Formula Feeding is associated with lower I.Q.
- Breast milk is always ready and comes in a nicer package than formula does
Need we say more? - Breast milk helps pass meconium
- Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby’s immune system.
- Breast milk is more digestible than formula
- Baby’s suckling helps shrink mother’s uterus after childbirth
- Baby’s suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage in mother
- Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is born
- Pre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants
- The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it
- Breastfeeding protects against Crohn’s disease (intestinal disorder)
- Formula feeding increases risk of baby developing type I (juvenile, insulin-dependent) diabetes
- Breastfeeding baby helps decrease insulin requirements in diabetic mothers
- Breastfeeding may help stabilize progress of maternal endometriosis
- Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of developing ovarian cancer
- Not breastfeeding increases mother’s risk of developing endometrial cancer
- Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies
- Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma
- Formula feeding increases baby’s risk of otitis media (ear infections)
- Formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (S.I.D.S.)
- Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections
- Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis
- Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections
- Formula fed babies have a higher risk of developing certain childhood cancers
- Breastfeeding decreases chances of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Breastfeeding decreases child’s chances of contracting Hodgkins disease
- Breastfeeding protects baby against vision defects
- Breastfeeding decreases chances of osteoporosis
- Breast milk is aids in proper intestinal development
- Cows milk is an intestinal irritant
- Formula-fed babies are more at risk for obesity in later life
- Breastfed babies have less chance of cardiopulmonary distress while feeding
- Breastfed babies have less chance of developing ulcerative colitis
- Breast milk protects against hemophilus b. bacteria
- Breastfed babies require shorter pre and post-surgical fasting
- Breastfeeding results in less sick days for parents
- Breastfeeding enhances vaccine effectiveness
- Breastfed babies have less chance of developing necrotizing enterocolitis
- Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive
- Breastfeeding is easier than using formula
- Breast milk is free
- Formula is expensive (approx $120/mo)
- Formula costs the government (and taxpayers) millions of dollars
- Breast milk is always the right temperature
- Breast milk always has the right proportions of fat, carbohydrates and protein
- Breast milk acts like a natural tranquilizer for baby
- Breastfeeding acts like a natural tranquilizer for mom
- Breast milk tastes better than formula
- Breastfed babies are healthier over-all
- Breastfed babies are less likely to die before their third birthday
- Breastfed babies require fewer doctor visits
- Breastfeeding mothers spend less time and money on doctor visits
- Fewer waste packaging products
- No bottles to tote: Have milk will travel.
- Less cow induced global greenhouse gasses
- No need to refrigerate
- Cows milk is designed for baby cows
- Human milk is designed for baby humans
- Natural pain relief for baby
- Perfect food for sick baby
- More sleep for mom
- More sleep for baby
- More sleep for dad
- Less equipment to maintain and store
- Less equipment to buy
- Breast milk has never been recalled
- Fresh breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria
- No need to worry about which brand is better
- No need to worry about adding contaminated water
- Breastfeeding helps reduce cruelty to farm animals
- Facilitates proper dental and jaw development
- Breastfed babies get fewer cavities
- Less money spent on corrective orthodontia
- Better speech development
- Less chance of baby getting eczema
- Breastfed babies have great skin
- Less gastrointestinal reflux (Spit-up)
- Easier to clean spit-up stains
- Breast milk contains no genetically engineered materials
- Breast Milk contains no synthetic growth hormones
- Lack of breastfeeding associated with multiple sclerosis in later life
- Less chance of inguinal hernia
- Better cognitive development
- Better social development
- Decreased risk of baby developing urinary tract infections
- Suckling optimizes hand-to-eye coordination
- Protects mothers against anemia (iron deficiency)
- Less money spent on menstrual supplies for mom
- Self confidence booster for mom
- Breast milk may help combat eye infections
- Breast milk may be a good natural antibiotic for wounds
- No worry about latest ingredient discovered to be missing from formula
- Much nicer diaper changes
- Breastfed babies smell fantastic.
- It’s what breasts were designed for!
Wow that is a lot of reasons! But I couldn’t agree more that breastfeeding is essential. There are so many benefits to breastfeeding for both the mother and the baby that I don’t know why anyone would deny themselves or their child of those benefits.
By: willi49 on December 5, 2010
at 1:49 am
This is an Awesome list! It should be displayed in every OB-GYN office.
By: Mary Ann Herbst on December 5, 2010
at 3:23 am
breast feeding is so important!
By: aleesham on December 5, 2010
at 5:05 am
A few of those are hilarious! I have to agree though that the breast is best for baby nutrition!
By: wmckenzi on December 5, 2010
at 6:05 am
That’s a lot of reasons! I didn’t read them all, but I definitely agree that there is no better way of feeding your baby. Breastfeeding is the best way to go in all aspects! And one of my favorite reasons – it’s free! I also love the bond that mother and baby are able to have through breastfeeding.
By: aayers08 on December 5, 2010
at 6:15 am
I loved these! I wish all women decided to breast feed! So much better for the baby!
By: cmilner2 on December 6, 2010
at 8:57 pm