Why Breastfeeding Matters: Benefits for Mom and Baby
Becoming a new parent can be a daunting new experience, with the never-ending list of dos and don’ts. One of the most important dos for your child is choosing to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is a crucial protective factor for you and your child’s health for many reasons, but often there are barriers for many mothers to continue breastfeeding.
The health benefits to breastfeeding your child for their first sixth months are undeniable, with reducing infant death risks so much as 40%. A worry many parents are aware of is SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which can take the life unexpectedly from a young baby, without any warning or reason why. Fortunately, there are certain protective measures, including breastfeeding, that can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 64%. Not only can breastfeeding prevent SIDS, but other conditions such as lower respiratory tract infections, asthma, eczema, and tooth decay. It is no surprise that the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months along with transitioning to solid foods, for up to two years.
Beyond the health of the child, breastfeeding for mothers after 1 year of age and up to 2 years can provide natural protection from conditions later, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and breast cancer. Breastfeeding brings closeness between the child and mother, as hormones released during this process produce peaceful, nurturing feelings that can help promote relaxation, decreasing stress between the two.
Something helpful to keep in mind when first starting to breastfeed is that it will take a few days for more milk to be produced. In the first day, initial breastfeeding attempts may be small, but they will grow with each day. Because of this, it is normal for babies to lose weight in their first few days. Unless your pediatrician notices excess weight being lost, there is no cause for alarm. A common misconception for women is that breast size can determine how much milk they produce, when in fact, this is not a factor that is linked to production. It is important to keep in mind that each person is unique, so how often you nurse your baby will not look the same.
Many may argue that breastfeeding simply is not an option they have due to lack of paid maternity leave or having an available space and time in the workplace to pump. However, there are resources for parents who need more support with pushing past these barriers if they do choose to breastfeed their child. No matter their choice, parents should not be judged for their decision to breastfeed, and they should be provided the support necessary to protect this human right.
A great resource for new and growing families is our county’s WIC program. Go to our website to see if you are eligible for assistance with breastfeeding, nutritional support and more. Currently, we are looking to gather more feedback in our community about their breastfeeding experiences with a short, ten-minute survey. Help us by providing feedback on how we can do better to support you and your growing family. If you complete the survey, you can be entered to win a free convertible car seat, Kwik Trip gift cards, and more! Go to www.JCPublicHealthWI.org/breastfeeding, to take our survey and for more information about resources available to you and your child.
Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community