Human milk is species specific, and the nutrients in it support optimal human growth and development because they are optimally proportioned and bioavailable. More than 100 enzymes "predigest" human milk.
Digestive System Is Colonized with Nonpathogenic Bacteria
- Lactobacilius reduces growth of E.coli, Salmonella, and Shigella
- Responsible for characteristic sweet smell of breastfed infant's stools and skin
- Reduces incidence of diaper rash; pH is lower in stools of breastfed infants (less irritating to diaper area) (Edwards, 1994)
Human Milk Enhances Low Renal Solute Load
- Proteins in human milk are efficiently utilized. Commercial formula contains excess proteins whose wastes must be excreted. (Motil, 1997)
- Avoiding excessive proteins reduces renal stress (Raiha, 1994)
Human Milk Enhances Cognitive and Nervous System Development
- Premature infants who are breastfed have higher IQs (7-8 point difference at 7-8 years). (Lucus, 1992)
- Studies demonstrate a positive relationship between breastfeeding and intelligence. (Horwood, 1998; Johnson, 1996, Uauy, 1995; Greene, 1995; deAndracal, 1995; Florey, 1995; Temboury, 1994; Rogan, 1993; Pollock, 1994; Morrow-Tlucak, 1988; Jacobson, 1992)
- Schizophrenia is reduced among babies who were breastfed (compared to siblings). (McCreadle, 1997)
- Exclusively breastfed infants (median age 7 weeks) were 50 percent less likely to exhibit minor neurologic dysfunction at 9 years of age. (Lanting, 1994)
Health-Care Costs Can Be Reduced with Increased Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding helps prevent disease. (Lopez-Alarcon, 1997, Riordan,1997)
- Breastfed infants develop diarrhea 3 to 4 times less often. (Teka, 1996, Mondal, 1996)
- 1.4 million infants develop diarrhea each year in the U.S. and 200,000 require hospitalization.
500 infants die from diarrhea each year in the U.S. Even partial breastfeeding helps protect against diarrhea. (Long, 1994)
- Breastfeeding can reduce respiratory tract infections. (Wright, 1989, 1995)
- Costs related to respiratory syncytial virus, bronchitis and pneumonia for infants not breastfed are greater than $225 million annually. (Riordan, 1997)
- By age 3, one-third of children have had one or more ear infections. Incidence of ear infections with increased exposure to other children and with increased smokers in household. (Paradise, 1997)
- Breastfeeding's protective effect is strongest among children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. (Nafstad, 1996)
Disease States in Adults Are Reduced among those Who Were Breastfed as Infants
- Atherosclerosis is reduced among adults who were breastfed as infants. (Rouli, 1995; McHill, 1979)
- Preliminary reports confirm a protective effect on breast cancer of having been breastfed as an infant.(Potischman, 1995)
- Children who were breastfed were less likely to develop appendicitis by age 8. (Pisacane, 1995)
- Tonsillectomy rates are decreased among breastfed infants. (Pisacane, 1996)
- Language Impairment: Children who were breastfed for more than 9 months were significantly less likely to develop speech difficulties. (Tomblin, 1997)
- Breastfed infants are less likely to grow up to be overweight adults. (Kramer, 1981)
- Breastfed infants had fewer dental caries. (Al-Dashti, 1995)
- Sucking the breast exercises facial muscles and is associated with improved facial-mandibular development and improved dental and periodontal health. (Palmer, 1998; Inoue, 1995; Davis, 1991; Schulte, 1992)
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