Study in Pediatrics shows breastfeeding can save $13 billion and 911 infant lives

08. April 2010 · 1 comment · Categories: Baby Food, Health, News · Tags: , ,

 - by Gina Ciagne

A new study came out on Monday in the April issue of Pediatrics that looks to be some the of the strongest evidence we’ve seen showing that breastfeeding isn’t just a nice to — it’s a must do.

Dr. Melissa Bartick and Arnold Reinhold’s study, titled, “The Burden of Suboptimal Breastfeeding in the United States: A Pediatric Cost Analysis” finds that:

“If 90% of US families could comply with medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, the United States would save $13 billion per year and prevent an excess 911 deaths, nearly all of which would be in infants.”

What incredible numbers. A multitude of media outlets have covered the study, including CNN. As I wrote in my comment on the article, this is some of the strongest evidence to date that breastfeeding is the best choice not just for our children, but for our society as a whole.

Maybe people could overlook the mounting evidence-based research showing the litany of health benefits for breastfeeding moms and their babies, but that $13 billion figure will hopefully be harder to ignore.

Pair this news with the passage of the health care reform bill, which happily included a workplace breast pumping accommodations mandate, and we might be looking at a turning point for breastfeeding rates. Taking breastfeeding seriously is long overdue in America.

I’m hopeful, and optimistic that this study might finally drive home a point that breastfeeding advocates have been making for decades: It’s vitally important that our society supports as many breastfeeding moms, in as many ways, as possible.

The ultimate in preventative healthcare, breastfeeding offers health benefits that last well beyond infancy. Healthy babies grow into healthy adults with fewer chronic illnesses, conditions, and diseases. And it’s been proved that moms who breastfeed will live happier, healthier lives as well, simply by doing what they were made to do. The ripple effect from all of this leads to economic savings both at the personal and societal level.

We must not let the messages about the importance of breastmilk to babies’ development be diluted. While it’s important to note that there is a suitable artificial alternative for babies who are not breastfed for whatever reason, it’s also imperative that people recognize the very specific differences between breastmilk and artificial baby milk so that they can make an educated decision about how they will nourish their child.

Mixed messages within the infant feeding arena have been confusing to parents. The AAP and its doctors owe it to moms and dads to spread the simple message that breastfeeding will result in lifelong health benefits, while we, as a society, back them up with our own support.

How do we do that? Understand that the best choice is not always the easiest one. Support them at home with encouraging words. Support them at work with the time and place to pump their milk. Support them in public by respecting their choice to feed their baby whenever he’s hungry. Remind them that breastfeeding could make a world of difference in their children’s (and their own) lives.

I hope that the work of Dr. Bartick and Mr. Reinhold will change some people’s minds about breastfeeding. It must be supported and promoted because those breastfed babies grow up into adults who will make our society healthier. As a mom who breastfed and breastpumped while working full time I can tell to you that it is possible … but it should not be selectively possible for just a few.

Author Bio: Gina Ciagne is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and the Director of Breastfeeding and Consumer Relations at Lanisoh Laboratories.

Nutritious Foods for Teething Toddlers

14. March 2008 · 2 comments · Categories: Baby Food, Teething


Has your toddler lost her appetite? It may just be the pain of teething keeping her from noshing on her favorite meals. Since you want to keep nutrition high, especially when your darling isn’t feeling her happiest, here are some healthy, easy-to-eat foods:

Spinach Apple Mush
Mix together:
about 1/4 cup finely grated apple
a large handful raw baby spinach, boiled until soft
organic rice baby cereal
a little cooking water from the spinach

Avocado Smash
(This is also great as baby’s first vegetable.)
Mash one avocado with one banana (or 1/2 of each, depending on the appetite.)

Try cutting favorite softer finger foods in smaller bites, and if your toddler’s gums really look swollen, avoid the crunchy stuff for awhile. While harder foods are often a welcome item to chew on for a teether, they lose their appeal when pain is present.

Also try going back to your toddler’s favorites from earlier babyhood, like some of the baby food recipes I’ve shared previously.

More Healthy Toddler Food Ideas

09. March 2008 · 6 comments · Categories: Baby Food, Cooking, Recipes · Tags: , ,


Yesterday I shared with you some different ideas for serving up healthy toddler foods. Today I’ve got some more for you, so get ready to add some healthful ingredients to that shopping list!

Steamed Cauliflower with Spinach: Steam cauliflower until soft and make sure to press out all the liquid. Drop a little raw spinach into boiling water for 15 – 20 seconds and drain. Stir it into the cauliflower. For extra flavor, you can add a little minced garlic and/or just a pinch of nutmeg. This is a fantastic recipe for adults as well, if you want something low-carb to replace the mashed potatoes!

Yogurt and Blueberries with Honey: I love this recipe as a bedtime snack for myself! Michal of Relishing Motherhood recently commented here that she does the same thing. Simply take some plain yogurt and add a good handful of fresh or frozen blueberries (thaw them for the toddlers first). I drizzle my concoction with some honey, but only add this if your baby is over a year old.

Avocado “Sandwiches”: Another of my son’s favorites, this one is nice and simple too. Smash some fresh avocado and smear it inside pieces of whole wheat pita bread. Or use my guacamole recipe minus the jalapenos. Even young toddlers can eat this and reap the benefits of raw garlic and onions!

If your toddler has some favorite healthy recipes, share them in the Comments or email them to me at themommyspot(at)gmail(dot)com.

Healthy Toddler Food Ideas

08. March 2008 · 4 comments · Categories: Baby Food, Cooking, Recipes · Tags: , ,


Looking for some healthy toddler foods? Following are some of my favorites. But watch out! You may end up needing to make more after you taste it for yourself. Because baby won’t want to share.

Super Healthy Oatmeal: I mentioned this one on my post about adding more nutrition in your diet. Mash 1/2 banana in a bowl (I smash with a fork – easy peasy), and stir in about 1/2 – 3/4 cups cooked oatmeal, depending on your toddler’s appetite. Add 2 heaping teaspoons of ground walnuts and 3 diced Medjool dates. I like Medjools because they’re bigger and quite soft when they’re fresh. This is my son’s favorite breakfast. In fact, he can pack away a whole cup of oatmeal with this breakfast! While I prepare it, he stays busy with the other banana half.

Savoy Cabbage Salad: I posted this one before. Toddlers with teeth can handle it because savoy is a softer cabbage with a thinner leaf.

Mashed Potatoes with Spinach and Yogurt: I know, it sounds a little icky, but my husband wanted his own when he tasted it! Mash the potatoes with a couple small glops of plain organic yogurt. Add some steamed spinach, or use spinach that was dropped in boiling water for about 15 – 20 seconds.

I’ll post more great toddler recipes next time. I’m always tinkering in the kitchen looking for fun and yummy toddler foods, so subscribe or bookmark me so you don’t miss anything!

Building a More Nutrient Rich Diet for Kids

03. March 2008 · 6 comments · Categories: Baby Food, Cooking, Health

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I’ve talked about getting your kids nutrition through the green smoothie, and so far that’s my favorite way to go. The nutrients are dense, the whole fruit or vegetable is consumed thereby giving more fiber, and a multitude of healthful foods can be hidden in there. But there are some other ways to get otherwise “yucky” or hard-to-eat (read “chew” for younger ones) foods into your kids.

Try chopping dark leafy greens very fine and stirring them into your spaghetti or other sauces. Kale or spinach shouldn’t alter the flavor, and both are full of vitamins and minerals.

Replace regular pastas with whole grain. (We actually enjoy the whole grain more because it has more flavor.)

For the morning oatmeal, sweeten it with 1/2 a mashed banana instead of the usual brown sugar or maple syrup. My son eats a large bowl of this every morning with a couple teaspoons ground walnuts and some chopped dates. He loves it!

Check back tomorrow for some more ways to add an extra boost of nutrition to your childrens’ diets. Got some ideas of your own? Leave a comment here and share!


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