Breast-feeding provides many benefits for both baby and mother, but right now, less than 75 percent of all babies born in the United States have been breast fed; many not even for six months.
Because the benefits of breast feeding are so bountiful for baby, healthcare organizations and communities across the country are working to encourage women to try it — by offering moms-to-be and new mothers the support of lactation specialists.
Lactation experts can be counted on to provide advice on starting to breast-feed, and, more importantly, how to maintain lactation — even if you should be separated from your baby because the newborn is in a high-risk nursery.
As a mother, when you choose to breast-feed, you initiate an emotional tie that holds the two of you together.
Additionally, health benefits accrue to both of you.
Breast-feeding helps your baby avoid certain childhood diseases by building important antibodies. For this reason, breast milk and baby formula are not interchangeable.
The vitamins and minerals contained in breast milk are not comparable to that of any formula.
For example, your milk contains vitamins, such as A, B6, B12, C,D, E, and K, biotin, folate, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper.
Formula does not protect against the development of these chronic illnesses in childhood and adolescence: diabetes, celiac disease, inflamatory bowel disease, and some childhood cancers.
For you as a mom, breast-feeding is an ideal way to reduce stress, post-partum blood loss, and can protect you against the development of premenopausal breast and ovarian cancers, and post-menopausal spinal and hip fractures.
Tips for breast-feeding
• Do not give newborns food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
• Select a rooming-in plan in maternity. This will allow you to remain close to your baby 24-hours a day, which encourages breast-feeding on demand.
• Keep your baby dependent on breast milk to satisfy hunger, and do not give your baby pacifiers or artificial teats.
The best advice for moms is to pursue breast-feeding. It offers powerful advantages for both you and your child.
Paladino is a certified lactation specialist and coordinator of Staten Island University Hospital’s breast-feeding initiative.
