During baby’s first year of life, there is no better food than breast milk. Both mother and baby receive many health, nutritional, economical and emotional benefits from breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

For babies, breast milk:

• Is an ideal food
• Provides all needed nutrients for the first 6 months of life
• Helps reduce colic, spitting up, and diarrhea
• Protects against illnesses and allergies
• Provides babies with their mothers’ immunity to disease
• May increase cognitive development

For mothers, breastfeeding:

• Enhances confidence and self esteem
• Helps the uterus return to shape faster
• May reduce the risk of breast cancer
• Helps weight loss occur more rapidly after pregnancy
• Provides breast milk that is always warm, ready to use, and economical
• May delay the return of menstrual periods

For the breastfeeding mom and baby, breastfeeding:

• Enhances mother-infant bonding
• Is environmentally friendly and save energy
• Is easy and convenient, once established
• Works best when dad, family, friends, and the community offer support
     

Local Breastfeeding Resources

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Muskegon County MSU Extension

Hackley Hospital Expectant Parent Classes

Mercy General Health Partners Classes & Support Groups

La Leche League of Muskegon Area

Additional Information

Michigan's WIC Program Supports Breastfeeding

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Breastfeeding Website