One of the first decisions a new mother is called on to make can also be her smartest. It's the decision to breastfeed. A smart decision is to breastfeed for six months. A smarter decision is to breastfeed for a year. The longer a mother breastfeeds, the healthier it is for both the mother and the baby. Fortunately, for Shelby County babies, the number of mothers making the decision to breastfeed is increasing – up 41% overall between 2004 and 2010.
Breastfeeding During Disasters
April 5, 2011
An emergency such as a natural disaster often comes with little warning and very little time to plan. Even when a crisis hits on a more personal level (a house fire or loss of a job, for example) having a plan beforehand can help families cope.
The evidence continues to mount: breastfeeding promotes optimal early childhood brain development (See: Following AAP, the American Dietetic Association Supports Exclusive Breastfeeding For Six Months,
A highlight of a study released online last week in advance of publication in the June print issue of Pediatrics links breastfeeding in infancy with a decreased risk for both childhood and adult obesity. Through breastfeeding, infants learn to self-regulate their food consumption.
