Breastfeeding
Nutrition is essential for growth and development, health, and well being.
Behaviors to promote health should start early in life with breastfeeding and
continue through life with the development of healthful eating habits. --
Healthy
People 2010, Chapter 19
World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7,
2009
Research has shown that there is no better food than breast milk for the
baby's first year of life. Breastfeeding provides many health, nutritional,
economical and emotional benefits to the mother and baby. There are also
significant benefits to the community, workplace and the environment.
The American
Academy of Pediatrics (exit DHS) has identified
breastfeeding as the ideal method of feeding and nurturing infants, and has
recognized breastfeeding as primary in achieving optimal infant and child
health, growth, and development. The Academy recommends
that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.
Continued breastfeeding, with the gradual addition of appropriate complementary
foods, is recommended for the remainder of the first year and for as long as
mother and child desire. Long overlooked as an important factor in reducing
health care costs, breastfeeding promotion has now become a national priority.
For more information about the importance of breastfeeding, use the materials
link to find resources on breastfeeding education;
breastfeeding-friendly communities, health departments and child care
centers; and fathers supporting breastfeeding.
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Last Revised: September 23, 2009
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