1. Marvelous Breastmilk by Laurie Reid Jones Catherine Farrell

2. There are so many reasons to breastfeed your baby! Did you know that breastfeeding benefits both mum and baby in incredible ways? Breastmilk is specifically designed for your baby’s needs !

3. Best for Baby Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby. Breastfeeding satisfies a baby’s emotional needs. Breastfeeding provides perfect nutrition for infants. Breastfeeding has been linked to higher I.Q. Breastfed babies have better motor development.

4. Breastmilk contains immunities that protect against diseases and helps in the development of your baby’s immune system. Breastmilk is 100% digestible. Mothers make special milk for their premature babies. Breastfeeding babies receive protection against developing diabetes later in life. Babies are less likely to develop allergies and respiratory infections when they are breastfed. Want your baby to have low risk for some childhood cancers? Breastfeed!

5. Breastfeeding protects your baby against diarrhea. Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese later in life. Breastmilk assists in your baby’s intestinal development. Breastfeeding enhances vaccine effectiveness. It provides natural pain relief for babies. Breastfed babies get fewer cavities.

6. Best for Mum Would you like to improve your odds against breast cancer? Breastfeed! Breastfeeding helps mum’s uterus to return to normal after birth and prevent haemorrhage. Breastfeeding helps mum lose weight after birth. Breastfeeding provides protection against ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding helps delay the return of fertility. Breastfeeding mums get more sleep. Breastfeeding boosts your confidence

7. Breastmilk comes in a nice package! It is always the right temperature and is always ready. Breastfeeding leaves very little garbage behind. Breastfeeding means no water to boil or equipment to sterilize. There are no errors in preparation. There is no GST on breastmilk! You never have to worry about which brand is cheaper or has the best ingredients. Breastfeeding means you can travel lightly when you go out. There are no recalls of breastmilk due to production or packaging errors.

8. Exclusive Breastfeeding for Six Months means: Breastmilk only…No other foods are needed! This will: Provide protection against gastrointestinal infections. Help mum to return to her pre-pregnancy weight faster. Support growth in a normal fashion for infants. Help mum to maintain the amount of breastmilk that her baby needs. Help protect the baby from allergies and asthma. Provide continued skin to skin contact that is so important for a baby’s development.

9. What a wonderful way to save money! Breastfeeding for four months would cover one month’s rent or mortgage payment. Six months would pay for a washer and dryer. Seven months would pay the electricity bill for a year. In nine months, you could pay for one year’s property taxes or all the energy bills. In Canada the average cost of one year’s supply of substitute milk is between $509- $2,777!

10. You could pay for a family getaway!

11. We’re here to help you achieve your goals! Your Doctor Your Public Health Nurse Peer Support groups La Leche League Lactation Consultants Your Labour and Delivery Nurses Your Midwife Just give us a call!

13. References 1. INFACT Canada. “Breastfeeding and Food Security: The High Cost of Infant Formula.” www.infactcanada.ca. Toronto. Apr 2006.. 2. INFACT Canada. “Complementary Feeding: Starting Solids.” www.infactcanada.ca. Toronto. Apr 2006.. 3. INFACT Canada. “Fourteen Risks of Formula Feeding: A Brief Annotated Bibliography.” www.infactcanada.ca. Nov 2002. Toronto. Apr 2006.. 4. INFACT Canada. “Healthy Babies.” www.infactcanada.ca. Toronto. Apr 2006.. 5. INFACT Canada. “The Benefits of Breastfeeding” www.infactcanada.ca. Toronto. Apr 2006.. 6. INFACT Canada. “Breastfeeding 101.” www.infactcanada.ca. Toronto. Apr 2006. 7. INFACT Canada. “Exclusive Breastfeeding: Vital to Baby‘s Health” www.infactcanada.ca. Toronto. Apr 2006.. 8. Newman, Jack, MD. “How Breastmilk Protects Newborns.” www.breastfeedingonline.com. Toronto. Apr 2006.. 9. Hamlet, J. Rachael. “Why Is Breastfeeding Important?” www.promom.org. Apr 2006

14. References 10. The Militant Breastfeeding Group “Breastfeeding Clip Art “ www.militantbreastfeedingcult.com/gallery. April 2006. 11. Promom “Breastfeeding Clip Art” www.promom.org/gallery/clipart. April 2006 12. Texas Department of State Health Services “Breastfeeding Clip Art” www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/bf/art.shtm. April 2006

15. by Laurie Reid Jones, RNBN and Catherine Farrell, RN Created as a project for the Douglas College Breastfeeding Course for Health Care Providers Manitoba, April 2006