Breastfeeding – an act of love that will pay forward for many years to come.

For the mom, it is a rewarding way to nourish her child, offering benefits such as increased bonding and time spent with baby and a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancers and decreased incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease throughout life. Breastfeeding causes secretions of hormones, which give a feeling of happiness and wellbeing and strengthen bonding.

For the baby, it provides antibodies to fight infections such as flu and gastroenteritis, both common causes of hospital admission for bottle-fed infants.  Breastfeeding also provides important nutrients for optimal brain growth and development and has protective factors against ear infections and SIDS. Breastfeeding helps to prevent obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease later in life.  Mothers of premature infants are also encouraged to breastfeed because it is related to better absorption of nutrients, reduced infection risk, protective antibodies and fewer feeding problems.

Science has now proven what nature knew all along – human milk is best for human babies! So why is the state of Kentucky, together with Tennessee and Louisiana, at the bottom of the ladder for both initiating and continuing breastfeeding? 71.7% percent of Kentucky moms initiate breastfeeding and only 41.9% continue to exclusively breastfeed infant past 3 months of age.