I have been encouraging my local paper to do a piece for WBW.  The
reporter who agreed to do so usually specializes in anti-obesity.  She
agreed to give me 150 words if I write it tonight.  The following is 210
words.  I invite you all to edit what I have written so far in hopes
someone will come up with some jewels which allow me to cut 60 words off
the total below.  Arly Helm, MS, IBCLC
 
 
"Throughout their lives, breastfeeding can offer children protection
against serious health conditions, including obesity, diabetes and high
blood pressure."  So begins Governor Schwarzenegger's Proclamation
naming August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month.  There is substantial
evidence for the importance of feeding babies as they were biologically
designed to be fed.  Recently, several studies have indicated that
breastfeeding is one of the important factors helping us in the struggle
against obesity.  Because breastfeeding is a physiological part of
infancy, as well as motherhood, it supports normal development of all
the body's systems.  Without this normal developmental stage, babies are
more susceptible not only to illnesses in infancy, but also to chronic
illnesses such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure later in
life.  Additionally, children who are not breastfed, and women who do
not go through this final phase of reproduction, have a higher incidence
of life-threatening cancers.  Protective factors in breastmilk are
missed when babies are not breastfed.  The risk is increased by exposure
to the foreign components which make up infant formula.  Due to the high
rates of illness among formula-fed infants, it is estimated that
California would save $475 million each year even if only half of
California's mothers breastfed exclusively for the first six months of
their babies' lives.
 
 

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html