Breastfeeding has long been known for its nutritional advantages for the baby as clinical studies continue to reaffirm the health benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and mom.
Breast milk boosts the immune systems of infants, giving them the best natural building blocks for healthy growth.
Another benefit of breastfeeding is the “skin to skin” contact that happens naturally, according to Karen Mattson, lactation consultant for Baptist Health South Florida.
Skin to skin refers to the infant only having a diaper on next to mom's bare chest. “Skin to Skin is vital in all stages of breastfeeding, especially in the first hour,” Says Ms. Mattson. “It’s really comforting to baby. It helps get the baby to know Mom by her scent and go to the breast.”
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[Transcript]
[The Benefits of Breastfeeding: For both mom baby]
[The bond between mother and baby]
[The benefits for baby: Less risk of allergies, Less risk of asthma, less ear infections, less diarrhea]
[Moms miss less work]
[Babies have higher IQs]
[Lower risk of SIDs]
Karen Mattson:
Breastfeeding is the far superior way to feed your baby. It has living cells in it. It's like giving your baby the first immunization dose. As well, your baby is learning. Mom and baby are getting that bond and babies are learning how to get that bond and it's just unparalleled. It is so important in so many ways. Moms notice things because they're so close to their babies. They see things, "Oh, look at this rash," that they catch things sooner than bottle feeding moms do because they have that close relationship and they're constantly there. The immediate benefits, health benefits for babies is they have decreased risk of allergies, asthma, they have less ear infections, less diarrhea, moms miss less work because of it, babies have higher IQs. Most importantly, it's a decreased risk for SIDS, the sudden infant death syndrome.
[The benefits for mom:]
Karen Mattson:
Breastfeeding makes moms relax. They sit down, they enjoy their baby. The hormone that's released is the love hormone. It definitely makes moms more relaxed and the babies are happier, they sleep longer studies have shown. Everybody thinks, Oh no. If I give formula at night, the baby will sleep longer. That's just not true. And the benefits are just unending.
[End Transcript]
