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More Moms Are Breastfeeding Their Babies — But Not for Long Enough, Experts Say

NBC News reports, "More than 80 percent of U.S. mothers breastfeed their newborns, a new survey finds, but fewer than a third keep doing so for the recommended minimum of one year." Breastfeeding is one of the best choices you can make for the health of a newborn, but it is important to try to continue breastfeeding for closer to a year if possible.

BREAST IS BEST: Contrary to what infant formula companies want you to believe, infant formula cannot replace breast milk when it comes to protecting your baby's health and promoting healthy long-term development. Breast milk is a perfect food for the human infant as it contains all the nutrients vital for healthy growth and development, plus beneficial microbes that promote a healthy gut microbiome. In fact, breastfeeding offers a long list of life-long health benefits not just for the baby but for mother as well.