Here are some highlights from the introduction:
- The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, and then continued breastfeeding to age one and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mama and baby.
- Breastfeeding is not mere a lifestyle choice; it is a public health issue.
- Breastmilk is the normal nutrition for a baby.
- True breastfeeding issue are rare.
- Babies should be asses using the WHO growth curve standard to avoid misdiagnoses of a child being underweight or failing to thrive.
I have the biggest smile on my face. 3 of my 4 kids were EBF until at least 6 months and 2 of them were breastfed beyond the age of one. I did it to give my kids the best start. I breastfeed for the same reason I put my kids in car seats, read to them, feed them healthy foods, hug them, etc. I do it because I love them and want them to have the very, VERY best.
The document then goes on to give information about how breastfeeding is beneficial, healthwise. It covers a number of health concerns and how breastfeeding directly impacts a child's potential of developing them. A few of these are:
- SIDS/Infant Mortality
- Neurological Development
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Celiac Disease
- Allergies
- and more
I urge every person to read this, whether you are a parent or not because this affects our society as a whole. The full PDF is located here.
Any thoughts?
