What is breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding, also called nursing, can be an easy and inexpensive
way for a mother to feed her child.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy
Statement on Breastfeeding, women who don’t have health problems
should exclusively breastfeed their infants for at least the first
six months of life. The AAP suggests that women try to breastfeed
for the first 12 months of life because of the benefits to both
the mother and baby.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding offers many benefits to the baby:
Breast milk provides the right balance of nutrients to help an
infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler.
Breastfed infants, and those who are fed expressed breast milk,
have fewer deaths during the first year and experience fewer
illnesses than babies fed formula.
Some of the nutrients in breast milk also help protect an infant
against some common childhood illnesses and infections, such as
diarrhea, middle ear infections, and certain lung infections.
Some recent NICHD-supported research also suggests that breast
milk contains important fatty acids (building blocks) that help an
infant's brain develop. Two specific fatty acids, known as DHA and
AA, may help increase infants’ cognitive skills. Many types of
infant formulas available in the United States are fortified with
DHA and AA, and all formula available for preterm infants is
fortified with these fatty acids.
Breastfeeding also benefits the mother:
In response to the baby's sucking, the mother's body releases a
hormone that makes her uterus contract and get smaller.
Many mothers also get emotional benefits from breastfeeding
because of the closeness of this interaction with the baby and
from the satisfaction of helping to nourish their babies.
Some research suggest that mothers who breastfeed their babies
have fewer episodes of post-delivery depression.
There is evolving evidence to indicate that certain types of
cancer (such as breast, uterus, and ovarian cancer) occur less
often in mothers who have breastfed their babies.
Many societies and cultures also encourage mothers to
breastfeed, which can offer support to a new mother.
What if I have trouble breastfeeding?
Even though breastfeeding is a natural process, it's not always
easy. Many health care providers suggest that women get lactation
support to learn how to breastfeed and what is involved with
breastfeeding. Many health centers, clinics, and hospitals have
lactation support specialists, such as an Internationally Board
Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a Certified Lactation
Counselor (CLC), on staff. Ask your health care provider for more
information about getting help with breastfeeding. Even with help,
though, some women still have trouble breastfeeding or cannot
breastfeed.
Are there cases in which it is better not
to breastfeed?
In certain situations, health care providers may advise a woman
not to breastfeed:
A woman with certain health conditions, such as HIV or active
tuberculosis, should not breastfeed because she risks giving the
infection to her infant through her breast milk.
Women who actively use drugs or do not control their alcohol
intake, or who have a history of these situations, may also be
advised not to breastfeed.
Certain medicines, including some mood stabilizers and migraine
medicines, can also pass through the breast milk and cause harm to
the infant.
Women with certain chronic illnesses may be advised not to
breastfeed, or to take special steps to ensure their own health
while breastfeeding. For example, women who have diabetes may need
to eat slightly more food while they breastfeed, to prevent their
blood sugar levels from dropping.
Women who have had breast surgery in the past may face some
difficulties in breastfeeding.
Growing Stronger, Growing
Better
Global Health
Healthcare Provider
Breast feeding - treatment of Breast feeding,
Breast feeding types, Disease medicines, Breast feeding symptoms, Breast
feeding and Disease symptoms, Breast feeding symptoms Disease and diagnosis,
Symptoms and Solutions, Signs and Symptoms, type of Breast feeding, cause
common, common Breast feeding, Breast feeding List, causes list, Infectious
Breast feeding, Causes, Diseases , Types, Prevention, Treatment and Facts,
Breast feeding information, Breast feeding: Definition, Breast feeding
names, medical Breast feeding, medical Breast feeding and disorders, cell
Breast feeding, Breast feeding Worldwide, Breast feeding Research, Breast
feeding Control, Breast feeding Center, Digestive Breast feeding Week,
Information about Breast feeding, causes of different Breast feeding, Breast
feeding Articles, Breast feeding and conditions, Health and Breast feeding,
Breast feeding Patients, Breast feeding and Sciences, causes of alzheimer's
Breast feeding, Breast feeding causes, alternative medicine heart Breast
feeding, body ailments, Breast feeding medicines, medical antiques, type of
blood Breast feeding