Risk of Not Breastfeeding

If you are like most women, then you are well aware of the BENEFITS associated with breastfeeding. Here are just a few:

Decrease risk of SIDS

Decrease risk of childhood obesity

Allergy prevention

Not to mention, there is absolutely nothing in the world, that anyone can manufacture, that can ever be as easily digestible and homogenous to your baby’s digestive system as human breastmilk. But did you know that by not breastfeeding you and your baby are at a higher risk of developing certain diseases?

Risks for your baby:

Ear infections 

Gastroenteritis 

Pneumonia 

Atopic Dermatitis 

Childhood cancer 

Risk for you :

Menopausal breast cancer 

Ovarian cancer 

Postpartum depression 

On a larger scale, Author of The Politics of Breastfeeding, Gabrielle Palmer credits women for producing "the most ecological food product in the world." Breastmilk is a natural, renewable resource! According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, $3.6 BILLION would be saved if we increased the number of breastfeeding women 10%. So see, the benefits of breastfeeding don’t stop at your front door. Breastfeeding can have a major positive economic effect nationwide.

Key points:

Breastfeeding is good for baby, mommy, and our economy 

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for 1 year (only breastmilk for the first 6 months)