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A very important but not even mentioned way that an individual can assume some control over not only physical health, but overall health; mental environmental social,... is human lactation- breastfeeding. Define breastfeeding as continuous for 6-24 months.
Breast feeding effects on babies/ toddlers include:
*Prevention of illness including ear infections, upper/lower repiratory ailments, allergies, intestinal disorders, colds, virus', staph, strep, e coli, diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritus, childhood cancers,meningitus, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, salmonella, SIDS, crohn's disease ulcerative colitus, some lymphomas, insulin diabetes, breast/ ovarian cancers.
There are also the pain reliever and emotional, mental benefits for the child.
Breastfeeding effects for mothers include:
* reduced risk of ovarian, uterine, and breast cancers
* Women with typr one diabetes priopr to pregnancy tend to need less insulin while breastfeeding
* there is eveidence that it may result in stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis
* psycholocically, the release of hormones help with feelings of deprssion or blues
Obviously, legislative assistance in form of education and support starting before, during and after pregnancy and laws supporting the feeding of a baby in any place. There is also a cultural aspect in that more acceptance of extended breastfeeding/ delayed solids, and public breastfeeding...
I am afraid that I could go on, but for further reference check out the LeLeche League web site.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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