Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in
Developed Countries
The practice of feeding babies infant formula, rather than breastmilk
carries with it profound risks in modern, industrialized countries, as well
as, in developing countries. While many are familiar with the
well-publicized tragedies of formula-fed infants in developing countries,
many are unaware of how the lack of breastmilk and the use of infant formula
compromise the health and well being of children in the United States. These
risks are well documented in the medical literature.
Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of many diseases in infants
and mothers from developed countries.
Infants
Infections
Ear infections
50% reduced risk
GI infections
64% reduced risk
Pneumonia
72% reduced risk of hospitalization
Obesity
Reduces the risk of obesity by 4% for each month of breastfeeding
Allergies
Dermatitis – 42% reduced risk
Asthma – 40% reduced risk
Diabetes – 39% reduced risk
Childhood Leukemia – 19% reduced risk
SIDS – 36% reduced risk
Preterm Infants
Necrotizing Entero Colitis – absolute 5% reduced risk
Reduced risk range – 4% to 82%
Because of the high case fatality rate, this 5% difference is a meaningful
clinical outcome
Mothers
Cancer
Breast – 28% reduced risk
Ovarian – 21% reduced risk
Diabetes – 12 % reduced risk
Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm
Breastfeeding Flyers: English and Spanish, Easy to read, Great graphics.
Developed by the South Los Angeles Health Projects WIC Program, 2004.
English:
Spanish:
Use of Breastfeeding Fact Sheets developed by
The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles:
The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los
Angeles has developed the Breastfeeding Fact Sheets as a service, and
site visitors are welcomed and encouraged to use them. If the
Breastfeeding Fact Sheets are used "as is", we request that
the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles be credited. If
the Breastfeeding Fact Sheets are modified or adapted, we request that
we be credited as "adapted from ...", and that a copy of the
adapted material be sent to us. Site visitors are also encouraged to
draw upon and use the information contained in the Breastfeeding Fact
Sheets as resource material to support their efforts to promote,
support and protect breastfeeding.
