Benefits of Breastfeeding

MMM.... Boobies. That’s right! Breastfeeding is good for baby and it’s good for mom too!  Although it can be a challenge, and time consuming, the benefits are endless for both of you.  Breast milk is easy to digest, is perfectly ph balanced for your little one, and it contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections (Surgeon General Briefing, womenshealth.gov). Choosing to breast feed can lay the foundation of healthy habits for your little one. Breastfed babies typically consume just the right amount of balanced nutrition at every feeding- creating healthy and progressive weight gain.

While the APA recommends a minimum of six months, any amount of time that you can do it will help both you and your baby. Breastfeeding isn't the only option for feeding your baby; however, every mother has the potential to succeed and make it a wonderful experience!

Babycenter.com lists the following benefits.

Breastfeeding your baby:

• protects your baby from gastrointestinal trouble, respiratory problems, and ear  infections
• can protect your baby from developing allergies.
• may boost your child's intelligence
• may protect against obesity later in life
• may protect your baby from childhood leukemia
• may protect your baby from developing type 1 diabetes
• may protect preemies from infections and high blood pressure later in life
• may lower your baby's risk of SIDS

For Mom, Breastfeeding:

• helps you lose weight (but don’t cut your daily calorie intake/diet)
• can lower your stress levels and reduce postpartum bleeding
• may reduce your risk of some types of cancer
• may protect against osteoporosis later in life

In the workplace, employers are even recognizing the benefits to the working mother. The Office on Women’s Health in the US Department of Health and Human Services notes that breastfeeding reduces costs to employers due to lower health care costs, de-creased absenteeism, enhanced productivity, improved employee satisfaction, and a better corporate image. Employers are creating the space and time for employees to pump milk or feed their baby. If you are going back to work, be sure to communicate with your employer, they may be very open to the idea.

If you are having difficulties with breastfeeding, there are services that can help:

Joy Kanevski, Certified Lactation Consultant - Joy of Life Family Medicine

La Leche League- meets at the Family Center on the first Monday of every month.

Mercy Regional Medical Center- free consultations at the Birthing Center.