Health Benefits to Moms Who Breastfeed

• Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers

•     Reduced risk of anemia
•     Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
•     Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation
•     Helps the mother's body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss...1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores... can burn from 500 - 1,500 calories per day.
•     Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies

•     Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child
•     Breastmilk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of dollars/per year)
•     Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and hospitalizations
•     Moms miss less time off from work due to child related illnesses
•     Helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding