Breastfeeding Saves Lives?

Posted: Apr 05, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

It seems that there is yet one more reason to breastfeed your baby: it could save lives.  A new study finds that there are even more benefits to breastfeeding than previously thought.

Researchers have just published findings of a new study in the Pediatrics journal.  This study estimates that nearly 900 babies' lives would be saved each year if 90 percent of all mothers were to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life.  Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is the current recommendation of the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control, the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, as well as the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The new study reveals that the United States incurs an annual cost of $13 billion due to preventable infant deaths as an indirect result of lack of breastfeeding.  Previous studies have found that breastfeeding can significantly reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), necrotizing enterocolitis, and respiratory infections such as pneumonia.  These conditions all lead to preventable deaths, which exceed 900 each year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, only 14 percent of women exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life.  Only 33 percent exclusively breastfeed for the first three months, and only 74 percent begin with breastfeeding their newborns.

The authors of the new study hope to encourage more women to try breastfeeding with their new findings.  Their goal is for 80 to 90 percent of all mothers to breastfeed their infants for at least the first six months.  Researchers also hope that the findings of this study will lead to additional support and advocacy for breastfeeding both at home and in the workplace.

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