Breastfeeding does have several benefits for moms and babies, including reducing a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer and reducing a baby’s risk of diabetes, leukemia, and allergies. However, parents decide whether to breastfeed or bottle feed for different reasons. Some mothers should not breastfeed; for instance, those who are on medications to treat cancer, antibiotics such as tetracycline, or antidepressants such as lithium should consult their obstetricians about whether these drugs can be passed to the baby through breast milk. Women who have had breast-reduction surgery where the nipples were removed most likely won’t be able to breastfeed. Ultimately, how you feed your baby is your choice. Regardless of what you decide, feeding time will be a chance to feel close, nurture, and communicate with your baby in a special way.
Breastfeeding does have several benefits for moms and babies,
including reducing a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer and
reducing a baby’s risk of diabetes, leukemia, and allergies.
However, parents decide whether to...
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Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:Breastfeeding does have several benefits for moms and babies, including reducing a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer and reducing a baby’s risk of diabetes, leukemia, and allergies. However, parents decide whether to breastfeed or bottle feed for different reasons. Some mothers should not breastfeed; for instance, those who are on medications to treat cancer, antibiotics such as tetracycline, or antidepressants such as lithium should consult their obstetricians about whether these drugs can be passed to the baby through breast milk. Women who have had breast-reduction surgery where the nipples were removed most likely won’t be able to breastfeed. Ultimately, how you feed your baby is your choice. Regardless of what you decide, feeding time will be a chance to feel close, nurture, and communicate with your baby in a special way.
