The Multifaceted Benefits of Breastfeeding – For Mother Nature

On the last blog, we shared some of the many benefits of breastfeeding for moms. Today, we’re featuring a few of the benefits of breastfeeding for Mother Nature:

§  Breast milk is delivered to babies without any pollution, excess packaging or waste. On the other hand, producing, packaging, shipping and preparing canned formula produce tremendous ecological waste.

§  For instance, the 80,000 American moms who breastfeed their babies for six months save 17,200 tons of tin that would have been used just for formula containers.

Conversely, 74 percent of babies are being fed formula at six months, resulting in more than 44 million cans of formula that have to be produced, transported and then piled into landfills

The Multifaceted Benefits of Breastfeeding – For Moms

On the last blog, we shared some of the many benefits of breast milk and breastfeeding for babies. Today, we’re showcasing a few of the benefits of breastfeeding for moms:

• Immediately after birth, breastfeeding helps contract the uterus.
• Breastfeeding helps shed the extra pounds of the pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding releases the hormone, oxytocin, which is associated with a general feeling of love, well-being and contentment. It also acts as a natural relaxant. 
• Breastfeeding can be incredibly empowering for a mom as she watches her baby thriving, fueled on nothing but her milk.
• Breastfeeding moms continue to reap of the benefits years after weaning. For example, women who breastfed for many months have significantly lower rates of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers.
• Breastfeeding moms experience fewer urinary tract infections and are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis as they age.

The Multifaceted Benefits of Breast Milk and Breastfeeding – For Babies

Last week on the blog, we shared some general facts about breastfeeding and breast milk. Today, we’re highlighting a few of the many benefits of breast milk and breastfeeding for babies:

• Breastfed children are more resistant to disease and infection early in life than formula-fed children. 
• Breastfed children are less likely to contract a number of diseases later in life, including juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and cancer before the age of 15.
• Researchers have observed a decrease in the probability of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in breastfed infants. 
• Several recent studies have shown that children who were breastfed are significantly less likely to become obese later in childhood.      

The Multifaceted Benefits of Breast Milk and Breast Feeding – General Facts

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most complete form of nutrition for infants, with a range of benefits for their overall health, growth, immunity and development. It’s the ultimate super food!

Of course, most of us know that breast milk is best, but are you aware of its multifaceted benefits for babies, mothers and even Mother Nature? In fact, the impact of breast milk and breastfeeding begins at infancy and extends through weaning and well into the future.

For the next few weeks on our blog, we’ll be sharing the various ways breast milk and breastfeeding benefits babies, moms and the environment. Today, we’ll start by sharing a few basic facts:

• Breasts were designed specifically for breastfeeding.
• Breast milk is free. All your baby needs in order to eat is you.
• Breast milk has never been recalled.
• Fresh breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria.
• You don’t have to worry about overheating your breast milk, because breast milk straight from the breast is always the perfect temperature. 

What Breastfeeding Supplies to Bring to the Hospital

Many new moms wonder what breastfeeding “supplies” they need to bring to the hospital when they deliver. Quite simply, all you really need to get breastfeeding off to a good start is you and your baby.

At MoBap, we have everything you may need, including an electric breast pump. This is something you’ll need if you have a premature baby or need to pump for any reason after delivery. We also have treatment creams for tender nipples.

However, there are a couple of things that you may want to bring with you to the hospital when you deliver. First, bring your breastfeeding pillow that you plan to use at home, so you can practice with it while you’re here and have our staff help you position it correctly. We also suggest bringing a nursing nightgown or top to make breastfeeding easier and more comfortable.

We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you as your begin this breastfeeding journey!

Where to Turn for Help: Breastfeeding Resources for New Moms

Becoming a new mom is an incredibly wonderful and emotional experience. However, with so many changes, it can also be really overwhelming and confusing. For instance, new moms are often bombarded with lots of advice from well-meaning friends and family, health providers, and hospital staff who just want to help. Unfortunately, whether it’s solicited or not, it can be difficult to know the difference between constructive and destructive advice.

Regardless of the advice you’re given, YOU are the expert on your baby. As new moms, we all have lots of questions. That’s why it’s important to learn from trusted resources. For help with breastfeeding, we recommend taking a prenatal breastfeeding class or reading a resourceful book such as Breastfeeding: A Parent's Guide by Amy Spangler. In the hospital, take advantage of professional help offered by the nurses and lactation consultants. It’s also important to select a pediatrician who supports your breastfeeding goals.

After you’re discharged from the hospital, you can find additional help with our lactation support groups as well as outpatient services. Our certified lactation consultants are here to support you as you develop your own breastfeeding experience. Family and friends are also wonderful resources, as long as they’re supportive and don’t try to impose their personal opinions or preferences, especially if they contradict your breastfeeding goals.

Remember, breastfeeding requires practice and patience. It’s a skill that you and your baby are learning together. Hang in there, and before you know it, you’ll feel like the expert when it comes to caring for your newborn baby.