A is for American Academy of Pediatrics.   (The AAP) reaffirms its guidelines regarding Breastfeeding.  What is the AAP? The mission of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

The AAP recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months of life. This means your baby needs no additional foods (except Vitamin D) or fluids unless medically indicated. Babies should continue to breastfeed for a year and for as long as is mutually desired by the mother and baby.

B is for Bonding: There are powerful physiological and endocrinal behavioral responses that occur in mothers who breastfeed, which is facilitated by the release of the “love” hormone, oxytocin. When oxytocin is released, it facilitates in moving milk out of the breast (milk ejection).  The power of oxytocin facilitates in shaping maternal behavior in a remarkable way, which promotes intense bonding and nurturing, and ensures the protection and survival of the infant. Through breastfeeding, oxytocin promotes a stronger sense of love and attachment.

C is for Cancer Reductions: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. For example, breastfeeding from 4-12 months can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 11%. Children who are breastfed, even for short durations, have a 25% reduced risk of developing breast cancer as adults. Breastfeeding also stabilizes the progression of endometriosis.

D is for Delay: Breastfeeding delays the return of a mother’s menstrual cycle, working as a natural form of birth control and encouraging adequate child spacing.

E is for Emotional Satisfaction: Breastfeeding offers a unique emotional experience for mothers because only she can produce breast milk specifically for her baby.

F is for Free: Breast milk is a naturally occurring substance that you can create at no monetary cost. $3.6 Billion dollars in health care spending could be saved every year if breastfeeding rates reached Healthy People Objectives. Breastfed babies are healthier babies!

G is for Guarding: Breast milk guards against germs by forming a protective barrier on mucous membranes on the baby’s intestines, nose, and throat. Unfortunately, formula fed babies do not get this protection. Another reason for mom to give breastfeeding a go!

H is for Hemorrhage Prevention: While breastfeeding, oxytocin is released, which also helps aid in expelling the placenta and pinching off maternal blood vessels. Less blood loss for Mom, win win!

I is for Improper Heating: Boiling water (introducing boiling hot water to powdered infant formula is the ONLY proper way to mix bottles- See the CDC brochure on infant formula preparation for reference) and potentially burning your infant with hot formula is not an issue with breastfeeding mothers because breast milk is always the right temperature.

J is for Junk: Breastfeeding requires no plastics to buy (bottles, nipples, formula cans, wrappers) and is less of an environmental impact.

K is for Killer: Breast milk is NEVER on recall. When tapped directly from the source, there is no risk of contamination through breastfeeding.  However, formula has been and will continue to have recalls and contributes to infant deaths due to bacterial contamination.

L is for Less time out of work: Breast milk passes a mother’s immunity to her baby, resulting in less sick babies and less time away from work.

M is for Motherhood: Only when one gives birth to a baby is breastfeeding possible; So celebrate this unique and tender perk that accompanies motherhood.

N is for Night time feeds: When a baby wakes for a night time feed, it is much easier to simply lift up your shirt and put the baby to the breast, as opposed preparing bottles while holding a crying baby in your arms.

O is for Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is four times higher in mothers who formula feed.

P is for Powerful: Mother’s are overcome with an immense physical and emotional connection to their babies because breastfeeding releases tremendous amounts of hormones that facilitate in love and bonding.

Q is for eQuipment: Breastfeeding requires less equipment for mothers to buy, with the exception of a breast pump if one so desires to pump.  Formula feeding mothers tend to buy multiple bottles, nipples, bottle cleaners, bottle sterilizers and warmers and racks. A breastfeeding mother’s diaper bag has a high probability of being more lightweight and minimal.

R is for Recommendations: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF all contend breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants.

S is for SIDS: Breastfeeding reduces the risk your baby will succumb to sudden infant death syndrome.

T is for Time: After the initial start, breastfeeding requires the lift of a shirt and a good latch. Breastfeeding does not require boiling water, measuring and mixing powders, cooling and warming bottles, and or sterilizing and cleaning.

U is for Uterine Contractions: Suckling at the breast releases oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract.  Breastfeeding mothers return to their pre-pregnancy state faster, and some feel the uterus contracting almost as soon as they start breastfeeding the baby after delivery.

V is for Vitamin absorption: Breast milk has bioavailability, meaning all of the components of breast milk are easily and effectively absorbed by your baby.  Formula manufacturers are forced to put extremely high quantities of vitamins and minerals in their formula because majority of these substances are not readily absorbed by the baby and passed out through stooling. More vitamin absorption = less diaper blow outs = Happy Mom and Dad!

W is for Weight loss: Breastfeeding burns on average, 500 extra calories a day.

X is for X-ray: There is a four times greater risk of osteoporosis in women who do not breastfeed.

Y is for YOU… Because you rock! Breastfeeding is a self-confidence booster! When you see your baby thriving off of nothing but your breast milk, it is a wonderful feeling to know his or her good health came from none other than YOU.

Z is for ZZZ: Breast milk acts as a natural tranquilizer, which means more frequent bouts of sleep for baby and MOM!

References:

A. Gartner, L. M., Morton, J., Lawrence, R. A., Naylor, A. J., O’Hare, D., Schanler, R. J., & Eidelman, A. I. (2005). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 115(2), 496-506. http://www2.aap.org/breastfeeding/faqsbreastfeeding.html

B. Else-Quest, N. M., Hyde, J. S., & Clark, R. (2003). Breastfeeding, bonding, and the mother-infant relationship. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly (1982-), 495-517. —-Uvnas-Moberg, Eriksson: Breastfeeding: physiological, endocrine and behavioral adaptations caused by oxytocin and local neurogenic activity in the nipple and mammary gland.: Acta Paediatrica, 1996 May, 85(5):525-30

C. Narod, S. A. (2002). Modifiers of risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Nature Reviews Cancer, 2(2), 113-123. Newcomb PA, Storer BE, Longnecker MP, et al. Lactation and a reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer. New England Journal of Medicine 1994; 330 81-87.  Freudenheim, J. et al. 1994 “Exposure to breast milk in infancy and the risk of breast cancer”. Epidemiology 5:324-331 Petterson B, et al.  “Menstruation span- a time limited risk factor for endometrial carcinoma”.  Acta Obstst Gyneocol Scand 1986;65:247-55

D. Kennedy, K. I., & Visness, C. M. (1992). Contraceptive efficacy of lactational amenorrhoea. The Lancet, 339(8787), 227-230.  D. Kennedy, K. I., & Visness, C. M. (1992). Contraceptive efficacy of lactational amenorrhoea.  The Lancet, 339(8787), 227-230.

E. N/A

F. Bartick, M., & Reinhold, A. (2010). The burden of suboptimal breastfeeding in the United States: a pediatric cost analysis. Pediatrics, 125(5), e1048-e1056.

G. Jatsyk, G. V., Kuvaeva, I. B., & Gribakin, S. G. (1985). Immunological protection of the neonatal gastrointestinal tract: the importance of breast feeding. Acta Paediatrica, 74(2), 246-249.

H. Chua S, Arulkumaran S, Lim I et al. “Influence of breastfeeding and nipple stimulation on postpartum uterine activity.” Br J Ovstet Gynaecol 1994; 101: 804-805

I. Igumbor, E. O., Mukura, R. D., Makandiramba, B., & Chihota, V. (2000). Storage of breast milk: effect of temperature and storage duration on microbial growth. The Central African journal of medicine, (46), 247-51.

J. http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/mbr.htm

K. Van Acker, J., de Smet, F., Muyldermans, G., Bougatef, A., Naessens, A., & Lauwers, S. (2001). Outbreak of necrotizing enterocolitis associated with Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered milk formula. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 39(1), 293-297.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/27/enfamil-recall_n_1171915.html  http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/m/melamine/index.html

L. Wright, A. L., Bauer, M., Naylor, A., Sutcliffe, E., & Clark, L. (1998). Increasing breastfeeding rates to reduce infant illness at the community level. Pediatrics, 101(5), 837-844.http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/101/5/837.short

M. N/A

N. Ball, H. L. (2003). Breastfeeding, bed‐sharing, and infant sleep. Birth, 30(3), 181-188.

O. Lopez, J. M., González, G. I. L. B. E. R. T. O., Reyes, V., Campino, C., & Diaz, S. (1996).

Bone turnover and density in healthy women during breastfeeding and after weaning.

Osteoporosis International, 6(2), 153-159.

P. Else-Quest, N. M., Hyde, J. S., & Clark, R. (2003). Breastfeeding, bonding, and the mother-infant relationship. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly (1982-), 495-517. —-Uvnas-Moberg, Eriksson: Breastfeeding: physiological, endocrine and behavioral adaptations caused by oxytocin and local neurogenic activity in the nipple and mammary gland.: Acta Paediatrica, 1996 May, 85(5):525-30

Q. N/A

R. Naylor, A. J. (2001). Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in the twenty-first century. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 48(2), 475-483.

S. Ford, R. P. K., Taylor, B. J., Mitchell, E. A., Enright, S. A., Stewart, A. W., Becroft, D. M. O., … & Roberts, A. P. (1993). Breastfeeding and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.  International journal of epidemiology, 22(5), 885-890.

T. N/A

U. Chua S, Arulkumaran S, Lim I et al. “Influence of breastfeeding and nipple stimulation on postpartum uterine activity.” Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994; 101:804-805

V. Saarinen, U. M., Siimes, M. A., & Dallman, P. R. (1977). Iron absorption in infants: High bioavailability of breast milk iron as indicated by the extrinsic tag method of iron absorption and by the concentration of serum ferritin.  The Journal of pediatrics, 91(1), 36-39.

W. Kramer, F., “Breastfeeding reduces maternal lower body fat.” J. Am Diet Assoc 1993; 93(4):429-33

X. Melton LJ, Bryant SC, Wahner HW, et al. “Influence of breastfeeding and other reproductive factors on bone mass later in life.” Osteoporos Int. 1993;22:684-691

Y. N/A

Z. Ball, H. L. (2003). Breastfeeding, bed‐sharing, and infant sleep. Birth, 30(3), 181-188.