Answer to Question 1
Benefits for Infants
Provides the appropriate composition and balance of nutrients with high bioavailability
Provides hormones that promote physiological development
Improves cognitive development
Protects against a variety of infections and illnesses, including diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia
May protect against some chronic diseasessuch as diabetes (both types), obesity, atherosclerosis, asthma, some cancers, and hypertensionlater in life
Protects against food allergies
Reduces the risk of SIDS
Supports healthy weight
Benefits for Mothers
Contracts the uterus
Delays the return of regular ovulation, thus lengthening birth intervals (this is not, however, a dependable method of contraception)
Conserves iron stores (by prolonging amenorrhea)
May protect against breast and ovarian cancer and reduce the risk of diabetes (type 2)
Increases energy expenditure, which may contribute to weight loss
Other
Cost and time savings from not needing medical treatment for childhood illnesses or leaving work to care for sick infants
Cost and time savings from not needing to purchase and prepare formula (even after adjusting for added foods in the diet of a lactating mother)
Environmental savings to society from not needing to manufacture, package, and ship formula and dispose of the packaging
Convenience of not having to shop for and prepare formula
Answer to Question 2
Prenatal and postnatal growth restriction
Abnormalities of the brain and central nervous system, with consequent impairment in cognition and behavior
Physical abnormalities of the face and skull that alter normal patterns of symmetry
Increased frequency of major birth defects such as cleft palate, heart defects, and defects in ears, eyes, genitals, and urinary system
Mother giraffe and calves feeding. It is mostly the females that raise young, and they may gather in
Mother zebra nursing her foal
An infant with spina bifida.
A little girl talking to her mother, who looks amused.
Medical Office To Do List
Infant: 4 weeks to 1 year.