With the overwhelming benefits of breast-feeding, the choice of infant feeding method is a significant health decision with life-long consequences for both babies and mothers.

In many ways, when a mother chooses not to breastfeed her child, the two of them lose out on disease-protecting properties and increase their risk to illnesses and even cancers.

Undoubtedly, breastmilk is the best for babies – even milk companies says so.

Breast milk provides complete nutrition, in the right proportions, for the growing baby. Its unique components offer optimal absorption of nutrients and minerals, protection from harmful bacteria, and assistance in the digestion of fats.

It also has special growth factors and hormones that contribute to optimal development of the child. Ans since breast milk is a living biological fluid, its composition changes as the baby grows to meet the child’s changing nutritional needs.

Breast milk serves as the baby’s first immunization. It provides antibodies, which protects the child from diseases and significantly lowers risks of common infant sicknesses like infection, diarrhea and bacterial meningitis.

Babies from families with a tendency to allergic diseases particularly benefit from breastfeeding as it provides protection against allergies, asthma and eczema.

Research also shows how breastfeeding increases a child’s IQ, reduces risk of obesity, improves the effectiveness of immunization, and enhances emotional security.

In all these cases, benefits begin immediately, and increase with longer duration of breastfeeding. For babies who do not receive breast milk, studies show that they have higher rates of pneumonia, childhood diabetes and cancers, AIDS, and gastroentiritis.

The benefits of breastfeeding to mother’s health are not often emphasized. But just as breastfeeding is best for babies, it is also best for moms. Immediately after birth, increased levels of oxytocin that are released in the mother’s body due to the baby’s sucking cause contraction and toning of the uterus.

Exclusive breastfeeding also offers protection against the early return to fertility as it delays the return of ovulation and menstruation.

In fact, the child spacing method, LAM or lactational amenorrhea method, is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy in the first six months as long as exclusive breast feeding is practiced, the mother’s menstrual period has not resumed, and the baby is less than six month old.

The prolonged suppression of ovulatory cycles appears to be associated with significant long-term health advantages as well. Mothers who breastfeed for at least six months throughout their lifetime have a decreased risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers.

A well-documented benefit of breastfeeding is a more rapid and sustained weight loss as milk production uses up 200 – 500 calories a day. That’s equivalent to swimming 30 laps or riding a bicycle for over an hour.

Breastfeeding also provide psychological benefits to mothers.

Clearly, healthier breastfed babies are less stressful to care for. They are also shown to have increased self-confidence and a stronger sense of connection with their babies.

Automatic skin-to-skin contact and closeness afforded by breastfeeding result in improved bonding between mother and child.

The benefits of breastfeeding do not end there.

There is also something for fathers. For one, they are able to enjoy a healthy baby and wife. They can also appreciate the impact on the family budget with lower health care costs, fewer sick days, and lack of need to buy formula milk.

Breastfeeding rates in the country, according to the National Demographic and Health Survey, has ranked the lowest with only 16 percent of newborns being nursed exclusively at 4-5 months. The study also showed that 13 percent were never breastfed.

These numbers have created significant economic impact to the country. It is estimated that inappropriate infant feeding practices causes P340 million on funeral expenses alone. Add to it the projected cost of P1 billion in lost wages to care for sick infants, P100 million out-of-pocket expenditures for health facility visits, and P50 million for hospitalization.

Giving children a healthy start on life is already a compelling reason to start and continue breastfeeding. With added benefits to the family and even the country, breastfeeding is, as it should have always been, more than just a lifestyle choice.

Published in the Manila Bulletin, September 3, 2006 issue.