Human milk, the best food for babies, contains the right amount of nutrients, in the right proportions, for the growing baby. A living, biological fluid, it includes many unique components.

While most people are aware that human milk provides excellent nutrition to babies, many people are unaware the benefits of breast feeding continue to protect us into adulthood. Children who have been breast fed have a lower incidence of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, respiratory ailments and allergies.

The rates of these common health concerns are increasing in Bermuda, as they are globally. Research confirms that breast fed babies have less risk of developing these problems in later life. In some cases, even minimal amounts of breast feeding may provide some protection against disease, but usually the longer a baby is breast fed the greater the protective effect.

Dr. William Sears, fellow of both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Royal College of Pediatricians, outlines ways breastfeeding builds a lifetime of good health:

Breast feeding prevents obesity. Even in infancy, breast fed babies as a group are leaner than their formula-fed peers. Studies have shown that children who are breast fed are less likely to be obese during adolescence, and that longer periods of breast feeding greatly reduce the risk of being overweight in adulthood. Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults. Since breast fed babies themselves control how much they eat (aided by the changes in fat levels during a feeding session), children who are breast fed learn to trust their bodies' signals about how much they need to eat and when. This builds healthy eating habits right from the start.

Lowered risk of heart disease. Some researchers believe that breast feeding during infancy may lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes in later life. This is due in part to the higher levels of cholesterol in human milk. Heart researchers theorise that because of the cholesterol content of human milk, a breast fed baby's liver learns to metabolise cholesterol better than formula-fed infants. This leads to lower blood cholesterol levels as adults and thus a lower risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that adults who were formula-fed as infants tend to have higher blood cholesterol and are more likely to have arterosclerotic plaques than those who were breast fed.

Lowered risk of juvenile diabetes. Babies who are breast fed are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood. Researchers have attributed this lowered risk of diabetes to the delayed introduction of cow milk in breast fed babies. In addition, researchers have shown a lower insulin release in breast fed infants compared to infants fed formula. This preventive effect is particularly important if you have a family history of diabetes.

Lowered risk of asthma and allergy. Studies have shown that breast feeding lowers the chances of a child developing allergies and asthma symptoms. Breast milk's immune components protect babies from allergens in the first months of life. breast feeding also delays the introduction of potentially allergenic foods, such as cow milk and soy protein, into the diet until the baby is older and the immune system is more mature.

Other diseases. Research suggests that breast feeding may also play a role in preventing digestive diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as childhood cancers. By nourishing an infant's body with the unique food designed for it by nature, the body will function in a healthier way, perhaps for the child's entire life.

New studies of what breast milk contains suggest that this living biological fluid carries substances that are critical to the optimal development of many systems in the body. This early development may very well affect the progress of many diseases throughout life.

In addition to positively affecting the breast fed child throughout his or her life, nursing turns out to be good for the mother, as well.

Reduces the risk of breast cancer. Women who breast feed reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 25 percent. The reduction in cancer risk comes in proportion to the cumulative lifetime duration of nursing. That is, the more months or years a mother breast feeds, the lower her risk of breast cancer.

Reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer. One of the reasons for the cancer-fighting effects of breast feeding is that oestrogen levels are lower during lactation. It is thought that the less oestrogen available to stimulate the lining of the uterus and perhaps breast tissue also, the less the risk of these tissues becoming cancerous.

Lessens osteoporosis. Non-breast feeding women have a four times greater chance of developing osteoporosis than nursing women and are more likely to suffer from hip fractures in the post-menopausal years.

Promotes emotional health. Not only is breast feeding good for mother's body, it's good for her mind. Studies show that nursing mothers show less postpartum anxiety and depression than do formula-feeding mothers.

Promotes postpartum weight loss. Breast feeding mothers showed significantly larger reductions in hip circumference and more fat loss by one month postpartum when compared with formula-feeding moms. Nursing mothers tend to have an earlier return to their pre-pregnant weight.

Breast feeding is also great for the environment. It is a completely natural, efficient use of resources. In contrast, artificial feeding involves overgrazing of land by cattle; use of chemical fertilisers to grow the soy; use of valuable environmental resources for formula production; packaging and transportation of the product; use of water and fuel for mixing the product and heating it, for sterilising bottles and nipples; waste disposal of the cans, bottles, accessories and cartons.

During hurricanes, power failures or water shortages, nursing mothers always have a ready source of the finest nourishment for their babies.

Lastly, breast feeding is cheaper than buying formula. Nursing is free of charge and requires little extra equipment.

With so many health benefits to mothers, babies, the environment and your bank account, the choice to breast feed makes perfect sense. With the right support, information and encouragement women can successfully nurse their babies. If you need help or have questions, call La Leche League for assistance on 236-1120 or your paediatrician.