Breast/chest feeding has several health benefits for both newborns and lactating parents who wish to breastfeed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states breast milk is the best nutritional option for babies who do not eat solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants are breastfed for at least six months and up to at least one year as a complement to other foods.
Children who are breastfed have a reduced risk for asthma, obesity, Type 1 Diabetes, ear infections, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and other illnesses. For parents who are able to breastfeed, the health benefits for the parent include lowering the risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.
Resources available to Skokie residents (regardless of ability to pay or insurance status) include:
For additional information please visit:
National Breastfeeding Month (usbreastfeeding.org)
Why It Matters | Breastfeeding | CDC
Guidelines & Recommendations | Breastfeeding | CDC