Best for baby
Best possible infant food. Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your infant needs.
More easily digested than any other infant food.
Milk is fresh, and temperature is ideal. No sterilizing of equipment is required.
Suckling promotes proper development of baby's jaw and facial structure.
Breastfed baby tend to benefit from a normal weight gain, which safeguards against future tendency towards obesity.
Protection against allergies.
If fully breastfed for first 6 months of life, baby's body gets prepared for other foods.
Breastmilk confers protection against infections and other diseases. Prevents growth of harmful bacteria and viruses in baby's yet to mature system.
Aids in development of baby's brain and nervous system.
Breastfeeding builds closeness. Breastfeeding promotes touching.
Nutritionally superior to formulas in terms of its content of fats, cholesterol, protein and iron.
Reduces risk of SIDS.
Fewer problems with reflux.
Breastfeeding protects preemies from infections and high blood pressure later in life.
Breastfeeding may protect your baby from leukemia.

Best for mother
Helps reduce uterus to pre-pregnancy size faster than it would if you were not breastfeeding.
Mother's uterus will contract and flow of blood will be reduced if baby is put to the breast within minutes of delivery.
If exclusively breastfeeding, mother's menstrual periods may be delayed for 6 months or more after delivery. Mother will therefore have little chance of getting pregnant.
Reduces the risks of developing breast cancer.
Protects against ovarian cancer, urinary tract infections and osteoperosis.
Cost savings from not buying formula milk.
High levels of Prolactin, the mothering hormone, is released when breastfeeding.
Promotes post partum weight loss.
Breastfeeding can reduce new moms' stress levels.
Need more reasons to breastfeed? How about 101?

Resources
Sometimes being adequately informed about the benefits of breastfeeding just isn't enough to ensure your breastfeeding success. We often underestimate the influence of the people surrounding us who are unsupportive of breastfeeding (either from lack of knowledge or for the less fortunate - ignorant). Your confidence can be undermined and you may start to doubt your natural ability to nurture your child with your breastmilk. Therefore during such vulnerable times, it is comforting to know that there are local support groups who can help allay your doubts.

Breastfeeding Mothers' Support Group (Singapore)
96 Waterloo Street
#02-04 SCWO Centre
Singapore 187967
Tel/Fax: (65) 6337 0508
Hotline: (65) 6339 3558

La Leche League (Singapore)
Helpline: 7000-LLL-INFO
(7000-555-4636)

New Mothers' Support Group - Singapore
A volunteer organisation for mums and dads of young children, new or old to Singapore

Some international sites which I've found useful are:
La Leche League International, the organization formed for the sole purpose of helping breastfeeding mothers. Invaluable information on breastfeeding and nothing else! Covers topics such as whether baby is getting enough to eat, why is baby fussing, how can father help in caring for baby, when to wean baby, etc. Also has a very comprehensive research archive.

WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action) is a global network of organizations and individuals who believe breastfeeding is the right of all children and mothers and who dedicate themselves to protect, promote and support this right. WABA acts on the Innocenti Declaration and works in liaison with UNICEF.

American Academy of Pediatrics is filled with valuable information on health, nutrition, medicine, psychological support, etc. for children, adolescents and young adults. It's my favorite for its extensive research archives on topics from allergy tips to medicines safe for breastfeeding mothers.

www.AskDrSears.com is a powerful website from Attachment Parenting guru/ paediatricians, Dr William Sears, MD and wife, a registered nurse, Martha Sears, RN. I personally like this as it is packed with useful information from pregnancy & childbirth to breastfeeding, nutrition, and behavior. Breastfeeding friendly, and better yet, teaches you what attachment parenting is about. Indispensable to new parents, I feel.

www.DrGreene.com Another great parenting website by highly acclaimed pediatrician Dr Alan Greene. Topics span wiiiide! Covering breastfeeding, nutrition, infectious diseases, to common childhood ailments such as rashes. I can't decide which one I like more, Dr Greene or Dr Sears!

www.parentsplace.com Great site for parenting information. Made simple in Question & Answer format, covering topics from fertility/infertility, pregnancy up to parenting. I personally found it very user-friendly to search for information by topic.

www.babycenter.com Similar to www.parentsplace.com though I personally think babycenter has somewhat more advertisement banners to get pass before you get to the topic you searched. Nevertheless, filled with great topics from preconception, pregnancy, baby to toddler.

www.breastfeedinghelp.ca Lactation Consulting Services Canada. Education and support for breastfeeding families by Joan M. Fisher, RN, BN, MEd. IBCLC. Individual pre/post-natal consultations by appointment. Rental of Medela electric breastpumps and electronic baby scales. Sale of Medela breastpumps, maternity/nursing bras and breastfeeding accessories (including Lact-Aid Nursing Trainer supplementers).

If you've got a useful resources link that you'd like to share, do drop me an email at elnie@motherneeds.com

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