Question: What are the advantages of breastfeeding my new baby? And how long should I breastfeed my baby?
fall 2005 – volume 2, issue 4
Debbie Kijowski responds:
Breastfeeding is the optimum feeding method for your new baby. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) describe breastfeeding as “an unequaled way of providing ideal food for healthy growth and development of infants [which] has unique biological and emotional influence on the health of both mother and child. (WHO/UNICEF, 1989)
Health Canada supports this statement, and in November 2004, revised its recommendations related to the duration of exclusive breastfeeding:
“Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life for healthy term infants, as breast milk is the best food for optimal growth. Infants should be introduced to nutrient-rich, solid foods with particular attention to iron at six months, with continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond.” (Health Canada, November 2004)
Exclusive breastfeeding for six months of life:
• Protects against illness and death due to gastrointestinal infections
• Supports appropriate infant growth rates and iron status
• Decreases risk of infant ear infections
• Decrease risk of chronic diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes
• Decreases risk of childhood obesity
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