Moms should breast-feed for a year

March 8, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

baby’s Benefits

Breast feeding helps protect babies against:

Bacterial meningitis

Respiratory tract infections

Urinary tract infections

Type 1, Type 2 diabetes

Childhood obesity

mom’s Benefits

Decreased postpartum bleeding

Earlier return to pre- pregnancy weight

Decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

By Andrea K. WALKER

The Baltimore Sun

The American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirmed its position that women should breast-feed for at least a year to get the best health benefits for their babies.

The group said in a paper published in the March issue of Pediatrics that women should breast- feed exclusively for six months and complement breast milk with food for another six months.

Breast-feeding promotes both health benefits and bonding between mother and baby, the academy said.

Research has found that breast-feeding helps protect against respiratory illnesses, ear infections, asthma and other allergies, the academy said. Breast-fed babies are also less likely to become obese as adults.

But breast-feeding may not be as easy as it looks. While 75 percent of moms nationwide initiate breastfeeding, many don’t continue for the full year. Babies may not latch properly or mothers may find it hard to balance pumping and work, among other reasons.