‘Breast is best’

Children who are breast-fed have a lower likelihood of becoming obese, suggests a recent study in the journal “Pediatrics.”
The study examined the benefit from breast-feeding on childhood adiposity and found in populations with higher obesity rates, there also were lower breast-feeding rates.
“There’s a ton of different studies on breast-feeding, and the definite effects and positive effects it has on children,” noted Miranda Sigurdson of the Northwestern Health Unit.
“Things like obesity, preventing childhood illnesses like asthma and allergies are just some of the benefits,” she said.
Scientific research has indicated exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months, and continued breast-feeding to two years and beyond, can provide protection from diseases like asthma, diabetes, obesity, and ear infections to name a few.
“There are certain immunological things that are in breast milk . . . it almost acts as a baby’s first vaccine,” explained Sigurdson.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, a woman’s breast milk has proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates that formulas are unable to replicate.
Breast milk also contains beneficial bacteria that protect the baby against harmful ones by creating an acidic environment where the bacteria can’t survive.
Sigurdson encourages women to breast-feed their children because she believes it is the best nourishment for babies.
“A woman’s body adjusts her milk supply based on the baby’s feeding, so it’s always available, there’s always enough there, and the baby gets exactly what they need from the mom,” she noted.
As long as the mother is eating well, the baby essentially should get all that they require exclusively from breast milk.
“The recommendations from the Government of Canada and the World Health Organization is to exclusively breast-feed for the first six months of a baby’s life, and then to actually breast-feed with solid foods up until they’re two years and beyond,” Sigurdson said.
The Northwestern Health Unit offers pre-natal classes on breast-feeding and formula feeding, as well as resources and information.
There’s also a volunteer support program called “It’s Mom’s Call,” where women can call the health unit to talk with someone if they have any questions.