BREAST-FEEDING
is a great choice for YOU and your BABY!
by Cathy Davis R.N. IBCLC Lactation Counselor
There are many good reasons to breast-feed your baby and here
are a few ideas to think about. For openers, consider cost.
Formula can range from $1200 - $1800 in the first year of
your baby's life and there aren't any of the benefits to your
baby's health that are plentiful in breast-milk Some of the
greatest benefits of breast-feeding is how breast-milk meets
your baby's nutritional needs naturally at birth and continues
as the baby grows and his nutritional needs change. Breast-milk
also supplies protection from many bacteria that can cause
infections or illness i.e.: respiratory and stomach/intestinal
illness and ear infections. Breast-fed babies also have a
lower rate of allergies and immune illnesses. The long chain
fatty acids found abundantly in breast-milk are used in the
cell structure of the retina in the eye, and in brain cells.
Breast-milk is very important human baby food. Formulas are
based usually from cow's milk. Cow's milk is wonderful for
baby cows, but leaves a lot to be desired as a food source
for human babies. Last but not least, the bond that develops
between mom and baby, and the developmental benefits to the
baby can't be measured in dollars and cents.
Once
you've made the decision to breast-feed there are a few things
to consider that really can help you be successful.
First:
Be confident that you can breast-feed and nourish your baby
just like you did while you were pregnant. A positive attitude
always helps.
Second:
Try to educate yourself as much as you can about breast-feeding
before the baby is born. Correct information and help about
breast-feeding from someone who is knowledgeable and qualified
can be invaluable to you. Seek help early if you feel that
it's needed. Breast-feeding is "natural", but it is a learned
skill for both mothers and babies. A good place to start looking
for information is the lactation service at a local hospital.
Here you can get advice on sources of accurate information,
books to read, classes on breast-feeding or referrals to board
certified breast-feeding consultants in your area. Unfortunately,
you may not receive current or even correct information on
breast-feeding from your pediatrician or the nursing staff
in the hospital where you deliver.
Third:
Try to find a pediatrician who supports breast-feeding. A
discussion during a prenatal visit with the doctor can give
you a sense of his basic philosophy regarding breast-feeding.
Don't be afraid to ask if he actively supports breast-feeding
and how he uses supplementation, or what he recommends for
mom/babies who could be experiencing difficulty with nursing.
Dr. Jack Newman M.D a world-renowned authority on breast-feeding
has written a good article "How to know a health professional
is not supportive of breast-feeding" that can be accessed
through the (medela.com) web site on the Internet.
Fourth:
Talk with your pediatrician to develop a feeding plan that
supports breast-feeding and is safe for the baby. There are
times when the baby could have a medical need for supplementation.
The number one concern is of course your baby's welfare. These
situations are an exception, not the norm for breast-fed infants,
and each baby should be considered individually. Supplementation
interferes with the natural process of milk production, and
can interfere with a baby's ability and even desire to breast-feed.
Tips
for success in breast-feeding
Helpful
breast-feeding information
Pumping/Returning
to work/Weaning
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