The Importance of Breastfeeding

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Story Published: Aug 1, 2008 at 5:28 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 12:05 AM MST

By Rick Montanez

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IDAHO FALLS- It's a big week in the world of parenting. Dozens of countries around the world are celebrating and promoting breastfeeding.

The Eastern Idaho Public Health District organized a picnic at the park for that reason.

"It allows mother more of the nurture time, so dad's gotta stand in there and find his time to have the baby around."

Which Becka Wilson from the Leche League says can be as easy as burping the baby.

"Sometimes fathers burp the babies better than mothers do."

In a few shorts months I get to meet my daughter, pictured in her 20 week sonogram. Erick Kerr met his baby boy two weeks ago, he tells me its important for soon to be dads to learn as much as they can before the baby gets here.

"If not your going what now, what do I do, I don't know a single thing."

The reason the health district organizes such a large scale event, to promote breastfeeding, because according to them its linked to a long list of problems you can avoid.

"Fewer ear infections, fewer digestive problems, fewer risk of childhood obesity, diabetes, lymphoma, leukemia."

Mom's I didn't forget you, here's some of the benefits you'll see.

"Mothers that breast feed loose their weight more quickly, they have a decreased risk of breast cancer, osteoporosis, their stomach goes flat faster."

"The best thing for a mom to do is relax and let nature take its course, if mother's relaxed the milk will come in better, and the baby's gonna be relaxed the fathers gonna be relaxed...everyone's gonna feel better."

Just like with anything else health related, don't be shy about asking questions. For more information from the Health District you can call 533-3247.

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