15 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Baby (Including Two Newly Discovered, and MAJOR, Benefits You Likely Haven’t Heard Before)

Increasing breastfeeding rates in the United States is a national health goal that’s part of the Healthy People 2010 initiative. The goal is to have 75 percent of mothers breastfeed their babies initially, 50 percent after six months and 25 percent after one year.

The American Academy of PediatricsFor comparison’s sake, not even a decade ago in 2005 while over 74 percent of infants born were breastfed initially, just 43 percent were still breastfeeding at 6 months and 21 percent at 1 year. Further, only 32 percent were breastfed exclusively through three months of age and 12 percent through 6 months — despite the fact that many health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, including:

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

• The American Academy of Family Physicians

• The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

• The World Health Organization

• The United Nations Children’s Fund

In fact, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, continuing as long as mother and baby wish, while the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or longer.

The reason breastfeeding has become a national health goal is because research has shown breast milk is the superior choice for infant nutrition. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

“Both babies and mothers gain many benefits from breastfeeding. Breast milk is easy to digest and contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections. Research indicates that women who breastfeed may have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers.”

15 Reasons to Breastfeed … for Baby and for Mom

Studies have found the following benefits to breastfed infants:

1. Breastfeeding is associated with a higher high school grade point average and an increase in the odds of attending college, according to a new study published in the Journal of Human Capital. In fact, for each additional month of breastfeeding, there was an increase in high school GPA of 0.019 points, and an increase in the probability of college attendance of 0.014.

2. A decreased risk of infectious diseases including bacterial meningitis, bacteremia, diarrhea, respiratory tract infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, otitis media, urinary tract infection and late-onset sepsis in preterm infants.

3. A 21 percent lower risk of dying after the first month of birth.

4. A lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome in the first year of life.

5. Lower rates of type 1 and 2 diabetes, lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin disease, overweight and obesity, high cholesterol and asthma in adulthood.

6. Enhanced cognitive development (the reason for the findings in benefit #1).

7. Breastfeeding provides analgesia to infants during painful procedures like a heel-stick for newborn screenings.

And, according to AAP, moms also experience benefits from breastfeeding, including:

8. A new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women in their 60s who had breastfed for a year or more during their lifetime were 10 percent less likely to develop heart disease and significantly less likely to develop risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Further, the longer a woman had breastfed, the lower their risk of heart attacks, strokes or heart disease became.

9. Decreased postpartum bleeding.

10. Helps the uterus get back in shape faster after childbirth.

11. Less menstrual blood loss (many women don’t menstruate during breastfeeding, which leads to natural child spacing/family planning).

12. Getting back to her pre-pregnancy weight faster.

13. Decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

14. A possible decreased risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.

15. Breastfeeding is free, whereas formula costs can be expensive.

Healthy Tips for Breastfeeding Moms

Nurture Your Baby, Nurture Yourself … With Friendly Bacteria When we are born, most of us began with a clean slate in terms of health. Unborn babies are equipped with their own friendly bacteria and after they are born breast milk helps those bacteria to grow and flourish. You can fortify your body, and your breast milk, with good bacteria by eating a healthy diet rich in fermented foods, and also by taking a high-quality probiotic supplement. Studies have shown that probiotics may be helpful with: Gut function and stability Improved digestion and nutrient absorption Immune system modulation Allergies

When you are breastfeeding your body requires extra nutrition to feed your growing baby. With that in mind, here are some healthy tips for breastfeeding moms:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to get extra vitamins and minerals.You may also want to consider taking a high-quality vitamin or mineral supplement, but keep in mind this is not a substitute for a healthy diet.
  • Note that some pregnant women have an increased need for greater levels of folate as they may have a familial history of depression, have high homocysteine levels, been diagnosed with high blood pressure in pregnancy or may be susceptible to birth defects. These women may benefit from a high dose of natural folate (natural folic acid) supplement.

• Eat primarily unprocessed, whole foods,and avoid those with “extras” like sugar, artificial flavors, artificial color and trans fats.

• Make sure you drink plenty of pure water,as your need for fluid increases when you breastfeed. A common suggestion is to drink a glass of water every time you breastfeed. We also highly recommend you make sure your water is a pure as possible for you and your baby. Buy or filter water to reduce chlorine, chloramines, cysts, VOCs, pesticides, and herbicides below detectable levels.

• Consider taking a high-quality probiotic (good bacteria) supplement. Studies show that taking probiotics during pregnancy and breastfeeding may not only help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight sooner, but also may protect babies from:

• • Eczema
  • Allergies
  • Obesity later in life
  • Colic

Consider a high quality probiotic supplement that provides clinical activities supporting systemic health and wellness through immune-system protection, allergy reduction and effective and enhanced nutrient absorption.

• Avoid drinking alcohol, as any alcohol that is in your bloodstream while you are breastfeeding can pass into your breast milk. If you do have an occasional drink, wait at least two hours after your drink before breastfeeding.

100 Quotes from “The Secret”

1. We all work with one infinite power
2. The Secret is the Law of Attraction (LOA)
3. Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting
4. We are like magnets – like attract like. You become AND attract what you think
5. Every thought has a frequency. Thoughts send out a magnetic energy
6. People think about what they don’t want and attract more of the same
7. Thought = creation. If these thoughts are attached to powerful emotions (good or bad) that speeds the creation
8. You attract your dominant thoughts
9. Those who speak most of illness have illness; those who speak most of prosperity have i.e…
10. Its not “wishful” thinking.
11. You can’t have a universe without the mind entering into it.
12. Choose your thoughts carefully… you are a masterpiece of your life
13. It’s OK that thoughts don’t manifest into reality immediately (if we saw a picture of an elephant and it instantly appeared, that would be too soon)
14. EVERYTHING in your life you have attracted… accept that fact… it’s true.
15. Your thoughts cause your feelings
16. We don’t need to complicate all the “reasons” behind our emotions. It’s much simpler than that. Two categories… good feelings, bad feelings.
17. Thoughts that bring about good feelings mean you are on the right track. Thoughts that bring about bad feelings means you are not on the right track.
18. Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming
19. You get exactly what you are FEELING
20. Happy feelings will attract more happy circumstances
21. You can begin feeling whatever you want (even if it’s not there)… the universe will correspond to the nature of your song
22. What you focus on with your thought and feeling is what you attract into your experience
23. What you think and what you feel and what actually manifests is ALWAYS a match – no exception
24. Shift your awareness
25. “You create your own universe as you go along” Winston Churchill
26. It’s important to feel good ( ( ( (((good))) ) ) )
27. You can change your emotion immediately… by thinking of something joyful, or singing a song, or remembering a happy experience
28. When you get the hang of this, before you know it you will KNOW you are the creator
29. Life can and should be phenomenal… and it will be when you consciously apply the Law of Attraction
30. Universe will re-arrange itself accordingly
31. Start by using this sentence for all of your wants: “I’m so happy and grateful now that…. “
32. You don’t need to know HOW the universe is going to rearrange itself
33. LOA is simply figuring out for yourself what will generate the positive feelings of having it NOW
34. You might get an inspired thought or idea to help you move towards what you want faster
35. The universe likes SPEED. Don’t delay, don’t second-guess, don’t doubt…
36. When the opportunity or impulse is there .. ACT
37. You will attract everything you require – money, people, connections. . PAY ATTENTION to what’s being set in front of you
38. You can start with nothing .. and out of nothing or no way – a WAY will be provided.
39. HOW LONG??? No rules on time .. the more aligned you are with positive feelings the quicker things happen
40. Size is nothing to the universe (unlimited abundance if that’s what you wish) We make the rules on size and time
41. No rules according to the universe .. you provide the feelings of having it now and the universe will respond
42. Most people offer the majority of their thought in response to what they are observing (bills in the mail, being late, having bad luck…etc.. )
43. You have to find a different approach to what is through a different vantage point
44. “All that we are is a result of what we have thought” – Buddha
45. What can you do right now to turn your life around?? Gratitude
46. Gratitude will bring more into our lives immediately
47. What we think about and THANK about is what we bring about
48. What are the things you are grateful for?? Feel the gratitude.. focus on what you have right now that you are grateful for
49. Play the picture in your mind – focus on the end result
50. VISUALIZE!!! Rehearse your future
51. VISUALIZE!!! See it, feel it! This is where action begins
52. Feel the joy .. feel the happiness  )
53. An affirmative thought is 100 times more powerful than a negative one
54. “What this power is, I cannot say. All I know is that it exists.” Alexander Graham Bell
55. Our job is not to worry about the “How”. The “How” will show up out of the commitment and belief in the “what”
56. The Hows are the domain of the universe. It always knows the quickest, fastest, most harmonious way between you and your dream
57. If you turn it over to the universe, you will be surprised and dazzled by what is delivered .. this is where magic and miracles happen
58. Turn it over to the universe daily.. but it should never be a chore.
59. Feel exhilarated by the whole process .. high, happy, in tune
60. The only difference between people who are really living this way is they have habituated ways of being.
61. They remember to do it all the time
62. Create a Vision Board .. pictures of what you want to attract .. every day look at it and get into the feeling state of already having acquired these wants
63. “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. ” Albert Einstein
64. Decide what you want .. believe you can have it, believe you deserve it, believe it’s possible for you
65. Close your eyes and visualize having what you already want – and the feeling of having it already.
66. Focus on being grateful for what you have already .. enjoy it!! Then release into the universe. The universe will manifest it.
67. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, it can achieve” W. Clement Stone
68. Set a goal so big that if you achieved it, it would blow your mind.
69. When you have an inspired thought, you must trust it and act on it.
70. How can you become more prosperous?? INTEND IT!!
71. ‘Checks are coming in the mail regularly’.. . or change your bank statement to whatever balance you want in there… and get behind the feeling of having it.
72. Life is meant to be abundant in ALL areas.
73. Go for the sense of inner joy and peace then all outside things appear
74. We are the creators of our universe
75. Relationships: Treat yourself the way you want to be treated by others .. love yourself and you will be loved
76. Healthy respect for yourself
77. For those you work with or interact with regularly .. get a notebook and write down positive aspects of each of those people.
78. Write down the things you like most about them (don’t expect change from them). Law of attraction will not put you in the same space together if you frequencies don’t match
79. When you realize your potential to feel good, you will ask no one to be different in order for you to feel good.
80. You will free yourself from the cumbersome impossibilities of needing to control the world, your friends, your mate, your children….
81. You are the only one that creates your reality
82. No one else can think or feel for you .. its YOU .. ONLY YOU.
83. Health: thank the universe for your own healing. Laugh, stress free happiness will keep you healthy.
84. Immune system will heal itself
85. Parts of our bodies are replace every day, every week..etc… Within a few years we have a brand new body
86. See yourself living in a new body. Hopeful = recovery. Happy = happier biochemistry. Stress degrades the body.
87. Remove stress from the body and the body regenerates itself. You can heal yourself
88. Learn to become still .. and take your attention away from what you don’t want, and place your attention on what you wish to experience
89. When the voice and vision on the inside become more profound and clear than the opinions on the outside, then you have mastered your life
90. You are not here to try to get the world to be just as you want it. You are here to create the world around you that you choose.
91. And allow the world as others choose to see it, exist as well
92. People think that if everyone knows the power of the LOA there won’t be enough to go around .. This is a lie that’s been ingrained in us and makes so many greedy.
93. The truth is there is more than enough love, creative ideas, power, joy, happiness to go around.
94. All of this abundance begins to shine through a mind that is aware of it’s own infinite nature. There’s enough for everyone. See It. Believe It. It will show up for you.
95. So let the variety of your reality thrill you as you choose all the things you want.. get behind the good feelings of all your wants.
96. Write your script. When you see things you don’t want, don’t think about them, write about them, talk about them, push against them, or join groups that focus on the don’t wants… remove your attention from don’t wants.. and place them on do wants
97. We are mass energy. Everything is energy. EVERYTHING.
98. Don’t define yourself by your body .. it’s the infinite being that’s connected to everything in the universe.
99. One energy field. Our bodies have distracted us from our energy. We are the infinite field of unfolding possibilities. The creative force.
100. Are your thoughts worthy of you? If not – NOW is the time to change them. You can begin right were you are right now. Nothing matters but this moment and what you are focusing your attention on.