Benefits of Breastfeeding
By: Dr. Catalina Granada-Solis
Breastfeeding is a process that requires time, practice and patience – lots of patience.
Although breastfeeding works for most women, it may not work for everyone. The best advice is to always try and make it your own experience, that way you and your baby can decide if this is the best for both.
There are no words to describe the beautiful bond that breastfeeding creates between a mother her and baby. And as you all may know, that is only one of its benefits.
Breastfeeding lowers your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, as well as breast and ovarian cancer. Another benefit of breastfeeding is that it burns up to 500 calories a day, helping new mothers lose baby weight.
Breast milk has the perfect combination and the right amount of fat, sugar, water and protein needed for a baby’s growth, and this excellent recipe is mommy-made and free.
Breastfed babies are protected from ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and allergies. They also have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Any amount of breastfeeding appears to help lower this risk.
For babies born prematurely, breast milk can also help reduce the risk of many of the health problems that preterm babies face such as infections and intestinal conditions.
The above reasons drive women all over the world to nurse their babies; however, in the United States, more than half wean earlier than they desire. The most common reasons women stop nursing are pain, low milk supply, and problems with the baby latching on to the breast.
By personal and professional experience, I must share that if breastfeeding is done correctly, it should not hurt. Even little adjustments, such as a change in position, make a lot of difference.
In the first few days after giving birth, every mom experiences low milk supply. Do not be discouraged or worry that your milk supply is too low or that your baby is going to starve. Those first dark yellow drops – called colostrum – are all your baby needs.
A newborn’s stomach is so tiny at birth, so don’t expect that they will drink an entire bottle. Those few drops are like a snack that they digest quickly, which is why they wake up every two to three hours to eat.
The last concern is the latching appropriately on to the breast. Newborns need time to figure out how to latch on. This is where patience comes into the equation. Accept this fact with love because they won’t be babies forever.
It’s important to know that you are not alone. There are many resources for a successful breastfeeding experience. Before your baby arrives, try to take a breastfeeding class, and apply what you learn when the baby is born.
At Jackson Health System, we have an amazing team of experienced lactation consultants, and these “fairy godmothers” ensure that you go home knowing what to do.
There are also community resources and support groups for breastfeeding that you could check in your area.
Multiple national and worldwide organizations recommend breastfeeding a baby for six months exclusively, meaning the baby should receive nothing but breast milk for the first six months of his/her life.
Once you return to work, check your employer’s policy on breastfeeding and areas to pump at work. Even with the busiest schedule, you will master this technique. Your baby is your top priority, so make sure to set aside time during your work day to pump.
My last piece of advice: Always try to breastfeed, be patient, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and do it as long as you can, and as long as it makes you happy. Enjoy this experience with your baby because it doesn’t last forever.
