At the Kaldas Center, we work with patients at different stages of their journies to better health and starting families. If you’re pregnant, you’re likely considering whether you want to breastfeed. And it’s equally likely that you’re coming up with a bunch of other questions the more you think about it.
Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of the benefits of breastfeeding and some tips for how you can get started. It’s everything you need to know to have a good working knowledge of why you’d want to breastfeed your baby so you can have an educated discussion about it with your doctor.
The Benefits of Breastfeeding
By its very design, breast milk’s intended to be the perfect food for a newborn baby. It’s natural, easy to digest, and provides just the right proportion of essential nutrients, vitamins, proteins, fats, and antibodies to help your baby’s body and brain develop. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says, “Breastfeeding ensures the best possible health and best developmental and psychosocial outcomes for the infant.”
Here are eleven key benefits of breastfeeding your baby:
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Breastfed babies get sick less and have a lower risk of allergies.
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They have a lower risk of obesity and Types 1 and 2 diabetes.
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They have a lower incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
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They have a reduced risk for ear infections (otitis media) and gastroenteritis.
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Breastfeeding sets babies on a path to optimal brain development.
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Breastfed babies get nutrients that help strengthen and develop their immature immune system in a way no other substance can.
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They respond better to immunizations against Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Haemophilus influenza (bacterium that can cause a severe infection)
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They have optimal oral development because of their jaw movements, and the nutrients in breastmilk decrease the risk of tooth decay.
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They’re protected against respiratory infections, including those caused by rotaviruses.
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They’re less likely to be hospitalized with pneumonia or bronchiolitis and have a decreased risk of lower respiratory tract infections.
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They’ve been associated with slightly enhanced performance on cognitive development tests.
It’s also important to note that there are some benefits for mothers too, especially if you breastfeed beyond six months. Benefits include:
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Women who lactate for a total of two or more years reduce their chances of developing breast cancer.
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Women who breastfeed their children are less likely to develop uterine, endometrial, or ovarian cancer.
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Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which causes the uterus to return to its normal size more quickly, and reduces postpartum depression.
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Tips for Getting Started
The short version? Just have a plan, a support system, and realistic expectations about what’s ahead. If you have those three things, you can do this. Here’s how to get there:
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Get ready to breastfeed before giving birth.
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Take a lactation class during your pregnancy. Ask your doctor to help you find one in your community.
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Get your support system on board. Tell your partner or others who will help you out about your plans so they can kick in some support and positive vibes.
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Be ready to start breastfeeding right after giving birth.
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Know that the first few weeks might be challenging.
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There might be some things that you worry about or start to struggle with. Transitioning from the hospital to your home, for example. You might worry about producing enough milk. It might be painful, or you might feel overwhelmed from lack of sleep. The first few weeks are usually the hardest, but…
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Reach out and get help if you need it.
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Keep breastfeeding if you go back to work.
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Keep breastfeeding beyond six months.
If you’d like to dig deeper into more breastfeeding resources, visit healthychildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
We Can Help
If you’re not at this stage of your journey yet and struggling to get pregnant, we can help you figure out a path forward. Whatever you may have been told in the past, we can help you realize your dreams of health and family. Let’s talk. Call the Kaldas Center at 920-886-2299 or schedule an appointment online.