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Without a doubt, breastfeeding is the best way for you to feed your baby. Scientific evidence points out that breastfeeding is superior to all other ways of feeding your baby. Below are some reasons why you should breastfeed.

Breastfeeding increases your baby's IQ.

The average increase is about 7 points.

Breastfeeding will help you to lose fat gained during your pregnancy.

During pregnancy certain fat stores are accumulated on your body that are destined for breastfeeding. When you breastfeed your baby it taps into those stores and reduces the fat deposits you've accumulated during your pregnancy. It takes about 500 calories per day for your body to produce breastmilk.

The American Academy Of Pediatrics recommends that you breastfeed for at least the first year of your baby's life.

The American Dietetic Association, the World Health Organization and UNICEF also recommend breastfeeding.

Breastfed babies are at a decreased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
SIDS risk factors include using formulas to feed your baby.

Breastfed babies have fewer allergies.

Your milk is specifically designed for each and every child you give birth to. It changes throughout the day and also throughout the entire time you breastfeed your baby. It changes according to your baby's current needs. Breastfed babies rarely get ear infections or suffer from colic or upper respiratory infections. Babies who are breastfed are also at a lower risk of developing asthma, diabetes and Crohn's disease (a type of inflammatory bowel disease IBD) . If you are diabetic, breastfeeding can help to lower your insulin requirements.

Breastfeeding helps your uterus to heal after childbirth.

Breastfeeding causes your body to release oxytocin, a hormone that helps your uterus to contract bringing it back to pre-pregnancy size.

Breast cancer risk is decreased if you breastfeed.

Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. If your baby is a girl her chance of getting breast cancer as an adult is decreased.

Breastfeeding promotes the bond between you and your baby.

When you breastfeed your body produces hormones that help you relax and bond with your baby.

Breastmilk is good and sweet tasting.

Have you tasted formula? It tastes absolutely horrible.

Breastmilk is free and always the right temperature.

Breastmilk helps your baby pass meconium.

Meconium ' a sticky tar like substance in your newborn's intestines.

Cow milk is an irritant to your baby's intestines.

According to Dr. William Sears MD, cow milk should not be given to infants under one year of age. It can irritate the lining of your baby's intestines causing small loses of iron which can contribute to iron-deficiency anemia.

*The Baby Book-Everything You Need To Know About Your Baby From Birth To Age Two c.1992, 2003 William Sears, MD and Martha Sears RN, Little, Brown & Co.

Cow milk is designed for baby cows, human milk is designed for baby humans.

Cow milk is designed to put on weight quickly, grow rapidly and develop as much brain power as a cow needs. The hormones in cow milk is geared toward cows not humans. Human milk is designed to build brains and foster a gradual physical growth. It has completely different proportions of proteins, fats and carbohydrates than cow milk. Your baby absorbs 100% of the proteins in your milk.

Breasts are actually for breastfeeding.

Society sexualizes breasts making mothers feel uncomfortable breastfeeding. Remember breast have a function and that function is to feed your baby.