(Breastfeeding Basics first appeared in the Public Opinion Newspaper in September 2015.)
Beverly Ann Curtis, board certified pediatric nurse practitioner and international board certified lactation consultant at Keystone Pediatrics, shares what moms-to-be need to know about breastfeeding before baby arrives.
Studies show
While breastfeeding your baby is a personal choice it is also an important public health initiative. The Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics say studies show that breastfeeding improves the health of mothers and their babies. Specifically though, formula fed babies have greater risk of ear infections, pneumonia, and other disease that may seriously affect their long-term well-being while breastfed babies may have less severe cases or avoid such illnesses.
Benefits to mom and baby
If infants are born too early or are ill when delivered, it is important they receive mother’s milk, as it provides protection from disease that cannot be replicated any other way. Babies who receive breastmilk have fewer ear infections, pneumonias, childhood leukemia, and juvenile diabetes. Mothers who breastfeed receive protection from pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancers as well as have protection from cardiovascular disease.
Learn what you can
Before baby is born, mothers should read about breastfeeding, attend a childbirth or breastfeeding class, and find a breastfeeding support group. Ask your health care provider for resources in your area for breastfeeding support and connect with your local WIC office for lactation consultant services or peer-led breastfeeding help. Local health systems also offer these services. Breastfeeding can become challenging if mom or baby experience difficulty establishing effective feeding in the early days of the infant’s life.
Challenges
It’s important to seek out a hospital for delivery that offers evidence-based breastfeeding services with trained staff to help with breastfeeding from the first feeding and in the early days of the infant’s life. Mothers should seek out the help of a certified lactation consultant or counselor if experiencing any problems or concerns. A certified lactation consultant can help to assess an infants’ milk intake and the mother’s feeding technique during the hospital stay or after mom and baby are discharged.
Check in with your doctor
Once discharged from the hospital, infants should have a routine check at their pediatrician’s office to assess feeding, weight gain, and jaundice within 2 to 3 days from hospital discharge. This is also a great time to see a lactation consultant for help with breastfeeding techniques such as positioning and latch. Often a little bit of help, from a trained lactation provider or a knowledgeable health care provider can go a long way to help a mother continue to breastfeed.
For more information, visit www.keystonepediatrics.org.
