Editor:
I read with interest the article in the Santa Monica Daily Press ("Study: Kids' obesity risk starts before school age," Jan. 31). As a result, I am encouraging all moms-to-be to breastfeed their babies as long as possible.
The validation for this recommendation is from the Breastfeeding Fact Sheet from the Office on Women's Health from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Among their listing of benefits of breastfeeding is that breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of various health problems for babies, including obesity. This information and more on the benefits of breastfeeding to both babies and their mothers can be obtained at the Womenshealth.gov website.
Virginia Fawcett
Certified Lactation Educator and Counselor