Aug. 1-7 is World Breast-feeding Week and this year's theme is Breast-feeding: Nature's Way.

Research shows that children who breast-feed get sick less often and their illnesses are less severe, according to Medela Inc., a national company that provides breast pumps and breast feeding accessories.

According to company literature, breast fed infants enjoy greater protection against communicable and infectious diseases, allergies, asthma and diabetes, and also have a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome. Nursed babies have higher IQ's and less tooth decay, the company reports.

It is estimated that more than $1 billion is spent annually to cover the cost of treating four specific illness categories in non-breast-fed infants: diarrheal diseases, respiratory virus, insulin-dependent diabetes and ear infection, according to Medela.

According to Medela, the majority of women in North America now choose to breast feed.

World Breast-feeding Week is supported by the La Leche League and the Nursing Mothers Council.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page