Q: We just had our first child, and we’re getting more advice from people than sleep. Some say you need to breast-feed, and others say it’s fine not to. Some say pick the child up when he cries; others say let him cry himself to sleep. My wife wants to breast-feed for a year or so, and my instinct is to pick my son up when he cries. Are we missing something here? — Dave H., Vancouver
A: No, Dave, you and your wife are right on the money. There are many health benefits from breast-feeding — and if it lasts a year, they are particularly strong. For the child, mom’s milk is the first super-step to a strong immune system. Plus, breast milk is the perfect nutrition for baby’s physical growth and brain development. And there are benefits for Mom: She bonds with her baby, and lowers her own risk of cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes. Breast-feeding moms also return to their pre-pregnancy weight faster than moms who don’t.
