© Tara Sgroi
The Beauty of Breast
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding throughout baby's first year. "Human milk is the absolute perfect food for an infant -- full of living antibodies and customized for your baby," says Mary Kat Smith, R.N., a lactation consultant at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. If the idea seems a bit overwhelming, don't worry. Most moms get the hang of it pretty quickly. When in doubt, pull out this handy breastfeeding guide. And remember:
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Breastfed babies have fewer respiratory problems, ear infections, colds and flu than formula-fed babies. Breastfeeding also reduces a child's risk of type 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, obesity, heart disease and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
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Breast milk is easy to digest, so nursing babies are less likely to suffer from constipation, reflux and allergies.
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Oxytocin, a hormone produced during nursing, helps the uterus contract, allowing moms to recover faster post-delivery.
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Breastfeeding reduces a woman's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol later in life.
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Breast milk is free, always the right temperature, and the fat content even changes according to baby's needs.
Plus:
Boobytraps: Advice for Breastfeeding Problems
15 Products That Make Breastfeedding Easier
