Breastfeeding Benefits Related Articles & Blog Posts

How about a fresh approach? What if simply giving probiotics to babies would dramatically reduce the vexing symptoms of colic? What if the crying and distress of colic were related to the mix of bacteria in babies’ guts?

It’s natural for parents to wish that they could prevent their children from experiencing heartache. But at some point in life, we will all experience disappointment and loss. We can’t stop all painful events from happening, but can we change how painful events affect our children?

Imagine for a moment the sound of 3 hours with a peaceful, happy baby. And imagine the opposite! About ¼ of babies will experience colic, defined as at least 3 hours of crying per day on at least 3 days of the previous week. Several factors, such as exposure to cigarette smoke, have been proven [...]

The various studies looking at the effects of breastfeeding on childhood leukemia have had inconclusive and inconsistent results. Experts, led by Marilyn Kwan at the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, have taken 14 of these studies and analyzed them together as a group. This meta-analysis is published in the November 2004 Public [...]

High blood pressure, which used to be a disease of middle age, is becoming more common in children. Once a child has high blood pressure, unless there are significant lifestyle changes, the high blood pressure continues into adulthood. This leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and early adult death, even if the blood [...]

Asthma in children is increasing around the globe. It’s not unusual for it to be a country’s number one reason for a child to be hospitalized. Researchers from Australia (a continent where asthmais the leading cause of childhood hospitalization) have completed an important, long study.

Breastfeeding can help improve mothers’ bone density. During the months of nursing, calcium is taken from the bones, and the density decreases – whether or not they are getting plenty of calcium in their diets. But the months after nursing are one of the most important times in life to get at least 1,000 mg [...]

We know that the first months of life are a very impressionable time when it comes to the developing immune system. Even brief breastfeeding in the first few months of life, for instance, may give long-term protection from asthma. On the flip side, exposure to some foods in the first months may predispose to later [...]

Parents often hear about the powerful short-term benefits of breastfeeding. But the good news doesn’t stop when your baby is weaned. We’re learning more all the time about the enduring gift you give each time you nurse. When you’re up at night tenderly feeding your baby, you’re also silently taking care of your teenager in [...]

Many studies have demonstrated a variety of benefits from breastfeeding, including lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The first study linking breastfeeding with overall lower infant mortality was presented at the Pediatric Academic Society meeting in San Francisco on May 2, 2004 (Dr. Benjamin’s Spock’s birthday). Most babies do well however they [...]