Benefits for Mother and Baby

Websites
The National Women's Health Information Center
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=227
As a mother, one of the best things that only you can do for your baby is to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is more than a lifestyle choice — it is an important health choice. Any amount of time that you can do it will help both you and your baby. Dive into our resources to find out how breastfeeding can be one of the most important things you do for both you and your baby!

Articles
Nursing the World Back to Health
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBMayJun95p68.html
Breastfeeding is such an intimate relationship between a mother and her child that it was hard for me to see what impact this relationship could have on the global ecosystem. A little research opened my eyes.

Breastfeeding Prevents Diabetes in Mothers
http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/200/1/Breastfeeding-Prevents-Diabetes-in-Mothers
Results of the study showed that breastfeeding had a protective effect on the later development of diabetes in these women. This study found that each year that a mother breastfed reduced her risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 15 percent.

Breastfeeding and Asthma
http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/178/1/Breastfeeding-and-Asthma
Australian researchers followed 2,195 children for six years to evaluate the effect of breastfeeding on asthma, allergy, and obesity. They found that babies who were exclusively breastfed had a lower incidence of asthma and other allergic disease. Most interesting of all, every month of additional breastfeeding resulted in a four percent reduction in the risk of asthma.

“The Amazing Immunology of Breastmilk”   
http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/11/1/Immunology-of-Breastmilk               Breastfeeding for as long as possible is the most important thing you can do to ensure your child has a strong immune system. Breastmilk is much more than food. 

Stem cells could be the secret reason why breast is best
http://networkedblogs.com/p18619879
Scientist says mother’s milk may play vital role in helping children ‘fulfil their genetic destiny’

101 Reasons to Breastfeed your Baby
http://www.promom.org/101/
This great list gives every reason why you should breastfeed your baby!

Extended Breastfeeding Facts and Benefits
http://www.breastfeeding-magazine.com/extended-breastfeeding.html
Extended breastfeeding is simply nursing a child past Western society’s 'normal' expectations. Here are some facts that may surprise you.

Introducing Infants to Solid Foods Later May Reduce Obesity Risk
http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/child-health/introducing-infants-to-solid-foods-later-may-reduce-obesity-risk-4088.html
World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first six months, but studies show that children who are breastfed for longer reap lasting benefits.

Breast milk kills cancers claim scientists
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7611360/Breast-milk-kills-cancers-claim-scientists.html
In new evidence set to spark debate over whether breastfeeding is best, scientists have found breast milk provides a natural immunity boost for youngsters.

Longer duration of breastfeeding reduces risk of metabolic syndrome for the mom
http://www.naturalnews.com/028646_brstfeeding_metabolic_syndrome.html
Women who breastfeed their children longer are significantly less likely to develop the cluster of heart disease and diabetes risk factors known as metabolic syndrome, according to a study conducted by researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northern California and published in the journal Diabetes.

Breastfeeding Nutrition
http://www.lactivist.com/nutritio.html
There is not one perfect diet for a breastfeeding mother. It is well known that women around the world with poor nutrition successfully breastfeed their infants. Nature has created a very effective system that has helped humans to thrive for millennia. Although you want to strive to eat the best diet possible

The nutritional benefits of breastfeeding
http://www.examiner.com/x-10060-Seattle-Nutrition-Examiner~y2009m8d3-The-nutritional-benefits-of-breastfeeding
The nutritional benefits of breastfeeding are numerous for mothers and their infants. Mother’s milk is made-to-order complete nutrition for babies that actually changes to meet the needs of your child as they grow and develop.

Breastfeeding Longer Than 6 Months Leads to Improved Mental Health
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/01/breastfeeding-longer-than-6-months.html
A study conducted at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has found that babies who are breastfed longer than the minimum recommended 6 months have significantly improved mental health later in childhood.

Breastfeeding Protects Against Rotavirus Diarrhea MORE Than Vaccination
http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/breastfeeding-protects-against.html
Exclusive breastfeeding reduces Rotavirus diarrhea in Brazil by 90%
vs. a 40% reduction in Rotavirus diarrhea by vaccination in Mexico.

Heed Natural Timing before Infant Introduction to Solid Food
http://www.naturalnews.com/027418_iron_food_foods.html
It is commonplace among modern mothers to begin introducing solid food to their babies as early as 4 months of age, yet babies in more primitive societies were mostly exclusively breastfed until 2 years of age. Given the archeological studies, babies` immature and developing digestive enzyme production, along with evidence that prolonging exclusive breastfeeding may also confer health benefits, it may be time for both moms and nutrition experts to reconsider the timing of a baby`s first introduction to solid foods.


Research
Breastfeeding, Maternal & Infant Health Outcomes
http://www.ahrq.gov/Clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm
We reviewed the evidence on the effects of breastfeeding on short- and long-term infant and maternal health outcomes in developed countries.

Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/3/e406
To examine the association between type of infant feeding and sudden infant death syndrome.

New research reveals breastfeeding boosts mental health
http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/media/462
A new study has found that babies that are breastfed for longer than six months have significantly better mental health in childhood.

Variations in Infant Feeding Practice Are Associated with Body Composition in Childhood
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/94/8/2799
Our objective was to examine how variations in milk feeding and the weaning diet relate to body composition at 4 yr.
Also read: Breastfeeding Duration And Weaning Diet May Shape Child's Body Composition
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528092349.htm

The risks and benefits of infant feeding practices for women and their children
http://www.nature.com/jp/journal/v30/n3/full/jp2009107a.html
Infant feeding decisions affect maternal and child health outcomes, worldwide. Even in settings with clean water and good sanitation, infants who are not breast-fed face an increased risk of infectious, as well as non-infectious morbidity and mortality.

Substance in Breast Milk Kills Cancer Cells, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419132403.htm
A substance found in breast milk can kill cancer cells, reveal studies carried out by researchers at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Probiotic Found in Breast Milk Helps Alleviate Symptoms of Digestive Disorders
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100602193326.htm
Here's another reason to breast feed your baby: Canadian researchers have discovered how a probiotic found in breastmilk reduces or eliminates painful cramping in the gut.

How To
Websites
Breastfeeding Made Simple
http://www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/index-home.html
Sometimes, breastfeeding can be more difficult and challenging than you imagined--and anything but simple.
In Breastfeeding Made Simple, we describe the Seven Natural Laws of Breastfeeding.

BABIES ARE BORN TO BREASTFEED
http://www.ameda.com/breastfeeding/started/babies.aspx
Did you know that babies are born with the skills needed to get to the breast and feed without help?

Articles
Breastfeeding: If At First You Don't Succeed
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/10/breastfeeding-if-at-first-you-dont.html
Sherwin's story (below) of her early struggle with her first born son's latch and her determination that he would ONLY receive breastmilk is one I really relate to. Our first born son also had trouble latching at birth.

The Case for Cue Feeding
http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/case-for-cue-feeding.html
It is now commonly accepted that infants, most especially breastfed infants, thrive best when allowed to feed as they indicate their needs. Breastfeeding is, after all, a dynamic process between every unique mother-baby dyad, for which man cannot possibly do a better job than God in designing how infant feeding should work.

Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?
http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23%3Ais-my-baby-getting-enough-milk&catid=5%3Ainformation&Itemid=17
Breastfeeding mothers frequently ask how to know their babies are getting enough milk. The breast is not the bottle, and it is not possible to hold the breast up to the light to see how many ounces or millilitres of milk the baby drank. And this is a good thing!! We are not supposed to know how much the baby is getting but rather is baby getting enough.

Nursing an Adopted Baby or Multiples

Articles
Lactivist
http://www.lactivist.com/adopted.html
Nursing an Adopted Baby

Breastfeeding my Adopted Baby
http://drmomma.blogspot.com/2009/08/special-gift-breastfeeding-adopted.html
I had my heart set on something special: I wanted to breastfeed my adopted child.

Nursing Multiples - Resource List
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBmultiples.html


Pumping & Working
Websites
Pumping Moms
http://www.pumpingmoms.org/index.html
This site is maintained by the Pumping Moms Yahoo group. We are a unique group of Moms who are dedicated to getting breastmilk to our babies any way possible. For some Moms, their children will not latch properly or there are health considerations. For other Moms, they are returning to work full time and choose to pump at work to provide Mothers Milk.  For whatever reason you have to pump, we are here to support you in that effort!

Articles
Expressing Breast Milk
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1jtiV5/www.breastfeeding-magazine.com/co-sleeping.html/r:t
Expressing breast milk is essential to a allowing a lot of moms to continue breastfeeding longer than they otherwise would.

Balancing Breastfeeding: When Moms Must Work
http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/balancing-breastfeeding-when-moms-must.html
A question that regularly pops up in my inbox comes from breastfeeding mothers who must return to work and feel that they have no option (or do not wish) to pause their career and stay home with their baby. These mothers are dedicated to giving their infants the liquid gold that babies were intended to receive for those first few years of life, but working away from our little ones places a huge strain on the breastfeeding relationship.


Support

Websites
La Leche League
http://www.lalecheleague.org
La Leche League International strives to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.

The International Breastfeeding Symbol Blog
http://www.breastfeedingsymbol.org/blog/
Welcome to the site for the International Breastfeeding Symbol!
Visit the blog for the latest insights on breastfeeding issues, natural family living, and more.

Breastfed Babies
http://www.breastfedbabies.org/default.aspx
Breastfedbabies.org has been written and designed especially for parents in Northern Ireland to provide help and support to make breastfeeding easier. As well as explaining why breastfeeding is so important, the site offers advice and guidance on how to breastfeed, expressing breastmilk, solutions to common breastfeeding problems, weaning and returning to work.We hope that breastfedbabies.org will be able to answer many of your questions about breastfeeding.

Becky's Breastfeeding Information Library
http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/info.html
All articles written by Becky Flora, BSed, IBCLC, Board Certified Lactation Consultant

Breastfeeding After Breast & Nipple Surgeries
http://www.bfar.org/index.shtml
This website provides information and support to mothers who wish to breastfeed after breast or nipple surgery.

Promotion of Mother's Milk
http://www.promom.org/
Promotion of Mother's Milk, Inc. (ProMoM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness and public acceptance of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Magazine
http://www.breastfeeding-magazine.com/index.html
Breastfeeding Baby with Confidence and Style!
Find tips, hip nursing clothes, and lactation support in our online breastfeeding magazine designed to help you learn how to breast feed and become a confident nursing mother.

Breastfeeding Moms Unite
http://www.breastfeedingmomsunite.com/
The purpose of this blog is to create a community where breastfeeding moms come to read, ponder and discuss a myriad of topics related to breastfeeding and to give and receive support from other moms.

Virtual Breastfeeding Help
http://www.virtualbreastfeedinghelp.com/
All new mothers, no-matter where they are, deserve to have easy access to exceptional breastfeeding help.  All new moms deserve to experience the deep satisfaction of nurturing their babies at their breasts. This is exactly why we started helping moms virtually via Webcam and Skype.

Best for Babes
http://www.bestforbabes.org/
ALL moms deserve to make an informed feeding decision, & to be cheered on, coached and celebrated without pressure, judgment or guilt, whether they breastfeed for 2 days, 2 months 2 years, or not at all.  ALL breastfeeding moms deserve to succeed & have a positive breastfeeding experience without being “booby trapped”!

Articles
Getting Over the Hump: Help For Breast Feeding
http://docbrenda.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/getting-over-the-hump-help-for-breast-feeding/
Breastfeeding has been around as long as man, and yet, to many it seems about as foreign as Mars.

Videos
Sesame Street - Buffy Nurses Cody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3DWRhfNm4c

Beautiful Breastfeeding Videos
http://www.breastfeeding-magazine.com/beautiful-breastfeeding-videos.html


Trouble with Formula

Articles
Rocket Fuel Found In Most Powdered Infant Formula
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/11/05/
Rocket-Fuel-Found-In-Most-Powdered-Infant-Formula.aspx
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that 15 brands of powdered infant formula are contaminated with perchlorate, a rocket fuel component detected in drinking water in 28 states and territories.

Formula Feeding Doubles Infant Deaths in America
http://thebabybond.com/InfantDeaths.html
A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, (May 2004), titled "Breastfeeding and the Risk of Postneonatal Death in the United States," reports a 21% reduction in infant death for having EVER breastfed, meaning 27% more infant deaths occur when no breastmilk is provided.

When it Has to be Formula:Optimizing the Health of Your Formula-fed Baby
http://thebabybond.com/FormulaFeedingNecessary.html
There are occasions when a mother is unable to provide any human milk for her baby, or where serious supply challenges require artificial supplementation. What can you do to optimize the health of your formula-fed infant?

Powdered Infant Formulas and Baby's First Foods
http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=52306
A baby's body will develop and grow more in the first three years of their life than in all their remaining years. Thus, what a child ingests during these highly developmental years is of paramount importance.

Breastmilk vs 'Formula' Food
http://www.theecologist.org/trial_investigations/268337/breastmilk_vs_formula_food.html
Humans have been breastfeeding for nearly half a million years. It’s only in the last 60 years that we have begun to give babies highly processed convenience food called ‘formula’

SIDS & Enfamil "RestFull" Formula ~ Yes, the connection exists
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/08/sids-enfamil-restfull-formula-yes.html
I have also received a couple (2 to be exact) responses from people who state there is no possible way that a link can exist between formula, sleep/night-waking, and SIDS, and that such statements are outlandish. However, ample amounts of research conducted the world-over, for several decades now, show time and again that not only is there a link between these factors, there is also strong causality that exists.

Resources for Moms Who Choose Not To or Can Not  Breastfeed
http://www.bestforbabes.org/next-best/
Not every mom chooses to breastfeed.   Not every mom can physically breastfeed, although it is more rare than people believe.  What should moms do who can not or choose not to breastfeed?

Ten Things You May Not Know About Baby Formula
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20100923/lf_ac/6152012_ten_things_you_may_not_
know_about_baby_formula
The use of baby formula as the primary method of infant feeding has exploded in popularity over the past few decades. Formula has become increasingly healthier in recent years with the addition of chemicals like DHA and lutein, both of which are naturally found in human milk. In spite of these advancements, there is some information that the manufacturers aren't advertising. Take a look at these ten little-known facts about infant formula.



Weaning
Articles
Child-led Weaning: The Whys and Hows of Child-led Weaning
http://www.breastfeed.com/articles/weaning/follow-the-leader-2677/
It was at one of these meetings that I first saw a toddler nurse, and I thought, "Oh, so that's what that looks like." It had never occurred to me to think of nursing in terms of years rather than months. However, my daughter turned 3 in January, and we are still nursing with no deadline for weaning. What we are doing is considered "child-led weaning."

Natural Weaning
http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/norma_jane_bumgarner2.html
Because of the good results, both for their children and for themselves, parents are becoming more comfortable with allowing nursing to take its course and waiting for weaning to occur on its own.



Magazines

Pathways Magazine:
www.pathwaystofamilywellness.org
Pathways magazine offers parents resources and thought provoking articles about the family wellness lifestyle.

Mothering Magazine
www.mothering.com
Mothering Magazine celebrates the experience of parenthood as worthy of one's best efforts and fosters awareness of the immense importance and value of parenthood and family life in the development of the full human potential. As a readers' magazine, we recognize parents as the experts and wish to provide truly helpful information upon which parents can base informed choices. Each issue contains philosophical inspiration and practical advice about family living. Topics are as diverse as circumcision, vaccinations, organic foods, childhood illnesses, home birth, ear infections, parenting teens, web site information, midwifery, and homeopathy.





InternetMom.org is designed for informational,educational, and personal purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you suspect you have a health problem, contact your chiropractor, midwife, or holistic pediatrician.
Quick Tip:
Why you shouldn't Microwave Breastmilk

Microwaving breastmilk seems like the easiest & quickest way to heat it up, however, did you know that by doing this you are actually changing the composition of the milk and depleting it of its nutrients?

The best way to warm up refrigerated milk is to place it in a cup of hot water.


For more information click below:
How to heat up cold breastmilk
Earth Mama Angel Baby -  Breastfeeding
"While breastfeeding may not seem the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby." ~Amy Spangler