Breastfeeding and the Sexual Objectification of WomenSexual objectification of women is harmful not only to women, but also to their children and even the environment. This objectification can prevent women from breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is extremely beneficial for both mother and baby, as well as the environment. Breastfed children are less likely to have ear infections, allergies, vomiting, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, chronic digestive diseases, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, bacterial meningitis. Research also indicates that breastfeeding may help protect against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Women who were breastfed as infants have lower rates of breast cancer, and breastfeeding helps promote bonding between mother and child. Breastfeeding has also been linked to possible improvements in babies' cognitive development. This is good for the mother because it burns more calories; it increases oxytocin levels, leading to less postpartum bleeding; it strengthens the strength of bones; it helps the uterus return to its normal size more quickly; and it reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. The environment benefits, because while there is waste generated by infant formula packaging and bottle inserts, there is none in the case of breastfeeding. There is also the use of water and fuel to heat the bottles. (Dermer and Montgomery). Companies also benefit from having their employees breastfeed. Aetna Inc. found that parents of breastfed babies missed fewer days of work and saved a total of $2,500 per newborn in the first year alone. CIGNA has set up a program for breastfeeding mothers. They found that it saved them $240,000 per year in health care and $60,000 in reduced absenteeism. (Red Book, ...... middle of paper ...... Gift of extended breastfeeding." Nurturing Magazine. Corbin, Michael. "The milk train no longer stops here. The House maintains the limits of public nursing." Baltimore City Paper online, March 21 - March 27, 2001Davis, Marie. "Breastfeeding." http://getattached.com/winter99/breastfeeding.htm1 1999Dermer, Alice and Anne Montgomery. Planet. Dermer, Alice. “If Breastfeeding Is So Good, Why Don’t More Women Do It?” 2000. Leonard, Sue. “Jealous Men Ban Breastfeeding” The Times November 12, 2000. McKenna, Kate. “Working Moms: The New Discrimination” Redbook January 2001. 100-104Stork.net: “Breastfeeding in Public."