National Breastfeeding Month reminds us of the importance of breastfeeding
In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month in August, it’s a great time to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to give your baby a healthy start in the world.
In healthy women, it is known that breast milk contains the ideal nutrition to support a baby’s proper growth and development. Breast milk contains antibodies that can help bolster your child’s immune system. It may also contribute to proper emotional development.
Breastfeeding can benefit both the baby and the mother in many ways. For babies, breast milk is easily digested and is perfectly matched nutrition. Breastfed babies have shown to have less gastrointestinal disturbances, ear infections and allergies. It stimulates their senses of taste and smell. Breastfeeding may also help prevent SIDS. The skin-to-skin and eye contact can foster a sense of bonding and help with emotional development.
For the mother, breastfeeding offers a convenient and economical way to provide nutrition to their child. Hormones released during breastfeeding can help the uterus shrink back to its normal size more quickly and some women notice that it’s helpful with postpartum weight loss. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of osteoporosis, as well as uterine, endometrial, ovarian and breast cancers.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that women breastfeed their baby exclusively for the first six months of life. They also suggest that women breastfeed at least 12 months. Any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial but breastfeeding into the second year of life also provides a toddler with nutrition. And, breastfeeding a toddler is normal and healthy. So, the longer the breastfeeding continues, the greater the benefits for both mother and child.
Some women find breastfeeding to be somewhat challenging in the beginning. There is a wealth of support that is available to you to help make breastfeeding a success. You can learn about breastfeeding through information you can obtain from your healthcare provider and lactation consultant. Most hospitals, including Washington Health System, offer the services of lactation consultants, who can teach you how to breastfeed successfully. Check for breastfeeding support group meetings in your area. Washington Health System has a great support group called “Parents Night out with the Baby” to help breastfeeding families share information and get questions answered.