For many years, scientists have been playing out the ingredients that make breast milk the perfect food for babies.  They’ve discovered to day over 200 close compounds to fight infection, help the immune system  mature, aid in digestion, and support brain growth - nature made properties that science simply cannot copy.

The important long term benefits of breast feeding include reduced risk of asthma, allergies, obesity, and some forms of childhood cancer.  The more that scientists continue to learn, the better breast milk looks. Breast feeding questions 

In addition to making your baby healthier, breast feeding may also make him smarter.  Many studies have proved that breast fed babies tend to be more smarter than babies who were fed with formula or other methods.  Breast feeding does help with nutrients and the support of brain growth, which is something every mother should think about.

The benefits for the nursing mom are just as good as they are for the baby.  The hormones that are released during breast feeding will curb blood loss post delivery and help to shrink the uterus back to it’s normal size. 

Long term, the breast feeding mom will have a lower risk for premenopausal breast cancer, which is the kind that strikes before the age of 50.  The benefits will begin to show with three to six months of breast feeding and increase the longer that breast feeding continues. By now, you should realize that breast milk is one power packed liquid.  It offers more for your baby than formula, or any other scientific creation for that matter.  As you begin to plan for the future of your baby, make a commitment to breast feeding him for as long as you possibly can - as it will do both your bodies good.

By Staff Reports

A single Columbia mom studying to be a nurse, who has a child with a chronic illness, is asking for help with gifts for her two children.

With the economy still in turmoil and the national unemployment rate hitting its highest mark in 14 years, this Maury County family will be among many that will be left wondering if there will be any presents under the Christmas tree.

“I have a two-year old daughter that requires breathing treatments twice daily along with maintenance drugs for chronic asthma/bronchitis due to a condition she was born with,” she wrote in her application. “I am thankful and would appreciate greatly any help available.”

Her weekly salary is $165 and she receives $200 in child support. She said it is very challenging raising two children while in college, but the outcome is worth it.

She is asking for a talking doll and age-appropriate learning game for her daughter and a world globe and mall gift certificate for her 13-year old son.

“It would set my mind at ease knowing they will have something to look forward to (on Christmas Day),” she said Monday.

The Community Christmas Card provides gift vouchers to purchase gifts for needy children under 17 years of age. Vouchers can be used at select area stores to purchase gifts but cannot be redeemed for cash.

The Community Christmas Card Program is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization.

All donations are tax deductible and may be sent to the Community Christmas Card Program at P.O. Box 1425, Columbia, TN 38402 or dropped off from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at The Daily Herald office at 1115 South Main St. in Columbia.