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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #65374
Title: THE RATIONALE FOR BREASTFEEDING

Author
item SCHANLER, RICHARD - BAYLOR COLL OF MEDICINE
item BUTTE, NANCY - BAYLOR COLL OF MEDICINE

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/3/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Breastfeeding is strongly recommended for full-term infants by U.S. and Canadian pediatric associations. Human milk is recommended as the exclusive nutrient source for the first 6 months, and continued with solid foods for the remainder of the first year. Human milk benefits the baby in terms of nutrition, the developing immune-defense and digestive systems, and a sense eof well-being. Infants who are breast-fed seem to have fewer ailments than those who are formula-fed. Breast-fed infants have been reported to have lower rates of diarrhea, lower respiratory tract illness, otitis media, urinary tract infection, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Later in life, people also seem to benefit from having been breast-fed; a lower incidence of certain chronic diseases is reported for those who were breast-fed as infants. Children seem to do better on tests and are better-coordinated, the longer the time they were breast-fed, and some reports say they can see better than those not breast-fed. Mother-child bonding also appears enhanced by breastfeeding.

Technical Abstract: A Technical Abstract is not needed for this document.