Yet, America has one of the lowest breastfeeding statistics in the world with very low rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Breastfed babies are protected against bacterial meningitis, have lower rates of pneumonia, allergies, ear infections, asthma, gastrointestinal illness, inflammatory illness, juvenile diabetes, childhood lymphoma, and learning and behavioral difficulties. One study has shown that premature breastfed babies had higher IQs than artificially-fed babies. Breastfed babies also have lower rates of dental decay and obesity and are less likely to develop heart disease in adulthood. Breastfeeding is nature's contraceptive - the more you nurse, the less likely you will become pregnant.
Continued lactation is a powerful method of suppressing ovulation.
Even though breastfeeding can be an effective method for limiting contraception, it should not be relied upon as individual hormonal levels determine the length of natural infertility for each woman. Contraceptive measures should be started by mothers who wish to prevent pregnancy if they are supplementing with formula, when menses resumes, or when the child is 6 months old. Wet-nursing has been around as long as there have been babies. Wet nursing provided a tremendous employment opportunity - providing status, safety, and financial security to uneducated women. One legendary wet nurse was Judith Waterford who in 1831, on her 81st birthday, could still produce breastmilk.