Reduce Diabetic Risks Through Breastfeeding: The time following the birth of a child brings a beautiful connection between mother and child. For many this has meant breastfeeding their child for at least six months. Others have moved toward a formula feeding that may be necessary and unavoidable. However, research now points to some very specific reasons to breastfeed your new baby if at all possible.
The data available today indicates that nearly 1,000 infants in the United States can be saved each year if mothers would breastfeed their babies. Research also indicates that billions of dollars in health care costs could be saved if breastfeeding once again became the norm.
Two diseases that often go together are Type 2 diabetes and asthma. Research indicates that if a child is breastfeed they are much less likely to contract either condition. However, the good news can extend to the mother as well. The research further indicates that when a mother breastfeeds her child she becomes less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.
Oreon.gov provides the following comprehensive list of benefits related to breastfeeding…
- Immediate Health Benefits for Breastfed Babies
- Long-term Health Benefits for Breastfed Babies
- Less childhood obesity
- Reduced risk of some chronic diseases that develop during childhood including: juvenile diabetes, childhood cancers, and allergic disease/asthma
- Enhanced neurological development that may result in higher IQs and better eyesight
- Suckling at the breast promotes good jaw development and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth
- Immediate Health Benefits for a Mother who Breastfeeds
- Uterus returns to normal size more quickly and mother has reduced blood loss
- Exclusive breastfeeding delays the return of fertility in most women
- Reduced insulin needs in diabetic mothers
- Psychological benefits of increased self-confidence and enhanced bonding with infant
- Helps mother get needed rest by requiring that she sit or lie down with baby every few hours to feed
- Long-term Health Benefits for a Mother who Breastfeeds
- Earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight, with no return of weight once weaning occurs
- Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers
- Reduced risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture
- Social and Economic Benefits for Breastfeeding Families, Employers and Health Systems
- Family savings of several hundred dollars when the cost of breastfeeding is compared to the cost of using artificial formula
Healthcare reform reinforces this idea by insisting that large businesses be required to provide a private space for new mothers to express milk for their infants. The reason this has become such an important element to healthcare is that many mothers are either the sole breadwinner for their families or are huge contributors to the financial needs their families face. If there are health benefits to providing their child with breast milk then it just makes sense to offer a comfortable and private space for them to provide the milk their child needs for both nourishment and to fend off potential disease later in life.
