Mother’s Milk Is Best

Breast milk is the mother of all medicines," says Newsweek. "Babies who drink it get the nutrients they need for proper brain development, while lowering their risk of everything from allergies and infections to diarrhea, eczema and pneumonia." The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association thus urge mothers to nurse their newborn for at least a year. "Yet this exceptional resource goes largely untapped," notes Newsweek. Why? Often because of misinformation. Some mothers worry that they will not produce enough milk to keep their babies healthy. Others think that other foods are needed early on. "The fact is, most moms can meet all of a child’s nutritional needs until 6 months, when solid foods are gradually added to the diet," the article states. "And no matter what else they’re eating, kids as old as 2 can benefit from the antibodies and fatty acids in mother’s milk." There are also benefits for the mothers: Nursing lowers the risk of breast cancer and hastens postpartum weight loss.