Breastfeeding in the USA

My wife may be earthly but she is not some crazy tree hugging hippie. Yet, people are amazed and impressed by her commitment to breastfeeding our son, Baby Jake, who just turned nine months.

There are so many benefits to both the mother and child:

Reduced risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer for mother

Quicker weight loss for mother - stimulates the uterus to contract back to its original size

Free - don't have to pay $100 a month for formula

Easy - no warming up bottles, cleaning parts, etc.

Lower risk of obesity for child

Provides all nutrients to child - fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids

Baby receives antibodies from mother to protect against disease

Breast milk is always sterile

Sucking on breast promotes good jaw development

Creates an early attachment between mother and child

Lower risk of SIDS

Prevents against sleep apnea

With all of this evidence, only 65% of US women nurse their children in their first few days of life and only 36% of women breastfeed at all by 6 months per the Center of Disease Control (click here for data). This is despite the World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics recommending that women breastfeed exclusively for the first six months.

Of course there are some benefits of formula - Less Nipple soreness, Don't have to expose your breast as much in public, Mom can smoke and drink guilt free - but these are pithy compared to the upside. So American women - embrace nursing!! It is a beautiful thing that requires a little getting used to. And please don't look at my wife like she is a Hillary loving tax and spend anti NRA Phish loving beatnik.