Breastfeeding: a review of the benefits for American Indian women.

Research indicates that breastfeeding provides a wide array of physical and psychological benefits to both mother and child. Breastfeeding is also a practical way for families, government and society to save money. Although breastfeeding rates in South Dakota mirror national rates, data shows that participants of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, especially American Indians, have much lower rates of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding may be particularly important in tribal communities because of its ability to alleviate health problems, such as infant mortality and diabetes, which are particularly devastating to American Indians. Economic benefits also can be measured to determine advantages to breastfeeding. The following article reviews the extensive benefits that breastfeeding can provide to American Indian women and their families.