California Home    CDHS Home    CDHS Comments    CDHS Search    CDHS Organization CDHS Home WIC Homepage About WIC Breastfeeding Resources Career & Job Information Education Resources Forms Grocer Information Local Agency Resources WIC Resources Site Map Training Resources  My CA  DHS BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING Human milk is uniquely suited for human infants Babies were born to be breastfed. Human milk is easy to digest and contains more than 200 components that babies need in the early months of life. Factors in breast milk protect infants from a wide variety of illnesses. Children who have been breastfed have less risk of becoming overweight or obese, even as adults. Research has shown that children who had been breastfed had higher IQs. Breastfeeding saves lives Lack of breastfeeding is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Human milk protects premature infants from life-threatening gastrointestinal disease. Breastfed children have lower risk of dying before their first birthday. Breastfed infants are healthier Formula fed infants have twice the risk of having ear infections in the first year than infants who are exclusively breastfed for at least 4 months. Breastfeeding reduces the incidence, and lessens the severity of a large number of infections, including pneumonia and meningitis in infants. Breastfeeding protects infants against a variety of illnesses, such as diarrhea and infant botulism. Breastfed babies have less chance of allergies, asthma and eczema. Evidence suggests that exclusive breastfeeding for at least two months protects susceptible children from Type I insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (DDM). Breastfeeding may reduce the risk for subsequent inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and childhood cancers.     Breastfeeding helps mothers recover from childbirth Breastfeeding helps the uterus to shrink to its pre-pregnancy state and reduces the amount of blood lost after delivery. Mothers who breastfeed for at least 3 months may lose more weight than mothers who do not breastfeed. Breastfeeding mothers usually resume their menstrual cycles 20 to 30 weeks later than mothers who do not breastfeed.   Breastfeeding keeps women healthier throughout their lives Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months can help in child spacing among women who do not use contraceptives (The Lactation Amenorrhea Method). Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.     Breastfeeding is economical The cost of infant formula has increased 150 percent since the 1980’s. Breastfeeding reduces health care costs. Breastfeeding is environmentally sound Unlike infant formula, breastfeeding requires no fossil fuels for its manufacture or preparation. Breastfeeding reduces pollutants created as by-products during the manufacture of plastics for bottles and metal for cans to contain infant formula. Breastfeeding reduces the burden on our landfills, as there are no cans to throw away.   WIC can help you with breastfeeding. Find out if you qualify. WIC serves low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding and new moms, and children under 5 years old. Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program Call Toll-Free: 1-888-WIC WORKS Printer Friendly Page (pdf ~37kb) * * Note: This document is in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). PDF files can only be viewed and printed if you have the FREE Acrobat Reader software. (For best results, use Acrobat Reader 5.0) Click here to download the Acrobat Reader... If you are unable to open the PDF document, please email bfassist@dhs.ca.gov to request a printed copy. Back to Top of Page © 2006 State of California. Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy