Why breastfeed?

Breastfeeding is medically proven to be the best way to help your baby have a healthier life. Breast milk is more nutritious than formula and helps your baby build a "natural" immunity to illness and allergies. The World Health Organization, UNICEF, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Surgeon General strongly recommend babies receive breast milk for the first year of life.

Benefits of breastfeeding

Breastfed babies have fewer allergies and are less likely to develop juvenile diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, rotavirus, gastroenteritis or child lymphoma.
Breastfeeding mothers have reduced risk of developing perimenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
Breast milk is immediately available – no mixing or warming is needed.
Breast milk can be expressed or pumped in advance if the mother plans to be away at feeding time.
Breastfeeding is less expensive than formula feeding.

Find out more about breastfeeding on Park Nicollet Health Advisor