We would like to dedicate this post to the encouragement and awareness of the benefits and joys of breastfeeding. Here is a list of some of the many benefits of breastfeeding followed by useful internet links with oodles of great resources from our international breastfeeding community.

Breastfeeding benefits include:

• Breastfeeding helps to develop close emotional connections between mother and baby.
  
• Breastfeeding helps you read your baby's cues and body language.
  
• Colostrum is the first breast milk produced after child birth. This special milk is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies that keep your baby healthy. It is lower in volume, but higher in concentrated nutrition. In fact, the colostrum is responsible for increasing your baby’s immunity by providing beneficial antibodies and disease destroying leukocytes. It also protects the baby’s intestines by coating them so they are less permeable to foreign substances. The colostrum milk is extremely easy to digest and is the perfect first food for your baby. Breastfeeding early and often will encourage your breasts to produce mature breast milk around the third or fourth day after birth. Therefore, frequent breast feeding during the first few days will ensure your baby all the benefits of the colostrum.
  
• Hormones that produce breast milk have a soothing effect on the mom. Breast feeding is a joyful, relaxing experience.
• Breast feeding immediately after birth releases the bonding hormone oxytocin which helps to expel the placenta by contracting the uterus and safeguards against hemorrhage.
• Oxytocin also aids in the shrinking of the uterus back to normal size following child birth.
• Oxytocin is a hormone that promotes bonding, connectedness, and maternal behavior. It is strongly released during childbirth and nursing in both mother and child. It is also released during skin-to-skin contact which benefits bonding between fathers and their babies as well.
• Breast-fed babies are more alert.
• Breastfeeding is custom made to meet your baby’s individual dietary needs.
• Immunity is passed from mother to baby during breast feeding.
• When nursing, the baby receives immunological protection against viruses and bacteria.
• Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect babies against urinary tract, respiratory, and intestinal tract infections.
• Breast milk provides protection against allergies, asthma, and eczema.
• Breast milk increases infant growth and development.
• Babies work harder to extract milk from the breast than the bottle, helping mouth jaws and teeth develop.
• Breast milk protects against gastroenteritis and pneumonia during the first few months while baby’s immune system is developing.
• Breast milk contains lactoferrin which provides optimal absorption of iron and protects the intestines from harmful bacteria.
• Breastfeeding leads to optimal brain development.
• Premature breast milk contains special nutrients tailored to the needs of premature babies. Breast fed premature babies can leave the ICU sooner.
• Breastfeeding delays the return of ovulation, which decreases the risk of iron deficiency in the mother.
• Breastfeeding promotes rapid and sustained weight loss. Milk production burns approx 200-500 calories a day.
• Women who breast feed for at least six months in their lifetime have a decreased risk of breast cancer, ovarian, and uterine cancers.
• Fathers can bond with breast fed babies by volunteering to be the main solid food feeder later.
• Breast-fed babies have less impact on the environment and represent a more efficient use of natural resources.

Breastfeeding Tips from our In-house Breastfeeding Expert:

• Be sure to breastfeed when you are relaxed.
• Collect yourself emotionally before breastfeeding.
• Never breast feed when you are upset or angry.
• Remember: What is affecting me right now affects my baby.

Getting the baby to latch on:
Be sure to place the entire nipple in the baby’s mouth, including the entire areola.
For sore breasts:
Compress alternating warm and cool cloth.
Cracked breasts heal faster when exposed to air.
For good consistent milk flow:
Drink lots of liquids.
Try eating more oatmeal.
Keep chest and back covered to prevent getting a chill.
If milk flow is slow:
Shower with hot water on chest and back.
Iron a wash cloth to get it warm and place on back and breasts.
Talk to your baby and sing to him or her!

Unbeknownst to us at the time, Cindy Crawford went on Good Morning America touting our carrier! We had no idea until afterwards, but we quickly started getting calls and emails requesting our carrier. This was a huge turning point in our business and really gave us a leg up. Cindy, we are forever grateful.

Cindy Crawford wears New Native® Baby Carrier from New Native Inc.

Hello –
I want to let you know that your donation of New Native Baby Carriers has been warmly received. Our foster parents are delighted with them and we have also given two of them to birthmothers who have had their children returned to their custody.
All report that the New Native carriers are simple to use and comfortable to wear.  Babies seem content to be held so closely and soon relax when they are placed in them. For those infants who suffer from severe drug-effects, being in the carrier holds them in the “c” position, which is well-known to help them calm themselves and relax so they can sleep. 
Thank you again for your generosity and for partnering with us in our work with drug-exposed infants and their families. We are proud to tell everyone about your support.
Sincerely,
Jeanne
Program Manager
Pediatric Interim Care Services

Dear New Native Baby Carrier,
Thank you for supporting the La Leche League of New Jerseys' Annual Silent Auction at our Breastfeeding and Parenting conference. We appreciate your donation to La Leche League of New Jersey.
Sincerely,
Margant
AACS
New Jersey

Dear Friend,
Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your participation in Oak Grove's EarthDay Celebration 2005. We greatly appreciate your silent auction donation and feel that your generous contribution was an important part that added to the tremendous success of this event. This year was our biggest celebration ever with over one thousand people on campus to enjoy ecological displays, world books, live entertainment, activities for all ages, horticulture and environmental vehicles showcases, wellness and arts-and-crafts merchant areas, alternative building demonstrations and of course our popular silent auction.
Community support means a great deal to us and allows us to continue to educate our Preschool thru High School students about our relationship with nature, respect for the environment and to support Oak Grove's commitment to sustainable living and celebrating our earth; integral parts of our educational philosophy. Please enjoy the enclosed newspaper article that appeared just one week after the event - a sample of our horticulture program.
Again, thank you for helping to create a wonderful day and thank you for your interest and commitment towards a healthier world.
With much appreciation,
Joy
Ojai, California

Dear New Native,
On behalf of the Birth and Baby Resource Network of San Luis Obispo, I would like to sincerely thank you for your generous donation to our sling demonstration.Your kindness is truly appreciated. These carriers will benefit many moms in our area and we are so excited to pass them on the parents in need.
Thank you!
Blessings, Kelly
San Luis Obispo, California

Dear New Native Staff,
On behalf of the staff of Crown Point Ecology Center and the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron, our sincere thanks for your donation of an organic cotton baby carrier for our 2005 Taste of the Earth dinner and auction. Your generous contribution will help us to further our mission dedicated to the principles of community, justice, spirituality and sustainability here in Bath, Ohio.
Sincerely,
Timothy
Akron, Ohio

To Whom It May Concern,
On behalf of the clients and staff of ACCESS, I want to thank you for the generous donation of 8 baby carriers. This is a fantastic donation. These carriers will go a long way towards increasing a sense of safety and security in the mothers and babies with whom we work.
Best Regards,
Katie
Ames, Iowa

We want to thank you from the bottom of our heart's for helping to make our annual benefit for the Boo Boo Babies a success with your generous donation. We couldn't continue without such wonderful support!
Thank you -Thank you - Thank you
From all of the EMAR Volunteers (East Maui Animal Refuge)
Haiku, Hawaii

Dear New Native friends,
The staff of Teen Parent Mentoring at Synergy Services send a hearty "thanks" and applause for your generous donation of carriers! Our teen moms will truly benefit from this tangible encouragement to try breastfeeding! We hope that many more teens will commit to this wonderful value of healthy attachment and nurture.
Sincerely,
Mrs. McClanahan
Mentor Specialist Teen Parent Mentoring
Parkville, Missouri

On behalf of LifeWorks NW's staff and Board of Directors, thank you for your recent donation of eight baby carriers, which will be used by the women and children living at Mountaindale Recovery Center. As a private non-profit, it is through the generosity of individuals and corporations that we are able to continue to provide a wide range of quality services to people throughout the Portland metropolitan area and beyond. Your support means the world to us and those that we serve.
Again, thank you for your support,
Sincerely,
Mary
Portland, Oregon

Dear New Native Baby,
On behalf of Healthy Moms & Babies, thank you so much for your recent donation to our April Showers celebration. We sincerely appreciate your generosity.
Each year Healthy Moms & Babies provides over 700 low-income pregnant women and their families with a wide range of support and educational services. Services include comprehensive case management throughout each woman's pregnancy. Individual needs are assessed, and a care plan tailored for each client and her family is developed. Additional program components include childbirth preparation classes, parenting education, nutritional guidance, obstetric care referrals, breastfeeding consultation, and individual counseling.
Once again, your donation was greatly appreciated. Thank you for joining us in our mission to improve the outcome of every pregnancy and to give every baby the opportunity for a healthy start in life.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Napa, California

Dear New Native Baby,
Thank you so much for your generous donation of the Twill Baby Carrier for our Pregnant Pause 2006 event.
Your gift contributed greatly to the success of our event and we appreciate your commitment to this cause. Again, many thanks!
Sincerely,
Tammi
Epilepsy Foundation
Brick, New Jersey

The 10th annual PICA Auction held 11/19 was a very special event. The money raised by the auction is used for local PICA efforts as well as direct support for sister-city Carasque, El Salvador.
But the generous and enthusiastic response from businesses and friends is much more than financial support. It is encouragement to keep on with the mission of PICA.
Thank you for being a part of the PICA celebration and for your support of the work of PICA.
Your friends at PICA
Bangor, ME

Thank you,
New Native Inc.
Your Support made this year's baby fair a tremendous success.
2005 Calaveras County Baby Fair Committee
San Andreas, California