Breastfeeding Coalition of Delaware
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Breastfeeding Benefits
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Breastfeeding has advantages to both infant and mother,  particularly if done exclusively, without supplementation of formula.
 
What’s in it for Mom?
  • Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer
  • Uterus returns to its normal pre-pregnancy size more quickly
  • Decreased postpartum bleeding

What’s in it for Baby?
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infant growth, health, and development.
Decreased risk of: 
  • Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
  • Diarrheal Illnesses
  • Ear Infections
  • Eczema
  •  Asthma
  • Type I Diabetes
  • Type II Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  • Childhood Leukemia (ALL, AML)

What’s in it for Your Family?
  • Increased time for attention to siblings and other family matters as a result of fewer infant illnesses
  • You’ll spend less money on food!  The cost of purchasing extra food for a breastfeeding mother is less than half the cost of purchasing infant formula.
  • You’ll spend less time preparing food for your baby. Breast milk requires no preparation and is always the perfect temperature!

What’s in it for Employers?
  • Decreased parental employee absenteeism and associated loss of family income
  • Reduction in sick time taken by both moms and dads for children’s illnesses
  • More satisfied, loyal employees & cost savings to the business
  • Retention of experienced employees; lower turnover rates
  • Lower healthcare & insurance costs
  • Potential for decreased annual health care costs of $3.6 billion in U.S.
  • Not to mention all of the health benefits that will continue to be made possible with breastfeeding in the workplace!

What’s in it for Society?
  • Potential for decreased annual health care costs of $3.6 billion in U.S.
  • Decreased costs for public health programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
  • Decreased parental employee absenteeism and associated loss of family income
  • Decreased environmental burden for disposal of formula cans and bottles
  • Decreased energy demands for production and transport of artificial feeding products

Related Articles
Be inspired…watch this video of breastfeeding supporters and Join the Boob-olution!