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May 2009 - Breastfeeding
Many Benefits to Breastfeeding If you’re expecting and considering breastfeeding, you’ll be pleased to know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for six months — and up to one year or beyond, as long as mutually desired by mother and baby.
Ask Rachel Klemstein, BSN, RN, IBCLC, or Wanda Rott, RN, IBCLC, about breastfeeding, and their eyes light up. As nurses in the Mom/Baby Unit at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, they have taught and supported hundreds of new mothers in the art of breastfeeding. Both are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs).
“We promote breastfeeding and are cheerleaders for nursing mothers,” Rott said. “Breastfeeding offers many advantages for infants, mothers and families.”
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Benefits to InfantsFor babies, the benefits of breastfeeding begin at childbirth. These include:
- Nutrition —breast milk contains many nutritional ingredients not found in formula, and is perfectly suited to nourish infants. It contains just the right amount of fatty acids, protein, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development and growth. Breast milk contains an ideal balance of nutrients that the infant can easily digest. Breast milk changes over time to meet the changing needs of the growing infant. Breastfeeding provides nutritional benefits not just for full-term infants but also for premature and low-birth-weight infants.
- Protection — breastfed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother’s antibodies to disease.
“Research shows that breastfeeding boosts an infant’s immune system, reducing the risk of asthma, allergies, diarrhea, ear infections, respiratory illness, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses,” Rott said. “Breast-fed babies have lower incidences of hospital admission.”
- Bonding — because a nursing mother cuddles her infant close during breastfeeding, nursing creates an early attachment between mother and child. During nursing, the baby enjoys a sense of security and warmth, especially when there’s skin-to-skin contact.
“We promote skin-to-skin contact,” Rott said. “It’s a coping mechanism. Infants really thrive, and they stay calmer and maintain their weight better. When the baby is relaxed, the mom is also relaxed.”
Benefits for Moms/FamiliesA mother who breastfeeds enjoys many benefits including:
- Enhanced feelings of attachment with her child.
- Reduced stress on mother and infant.
- No bottles to sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix.
- Being more likely to return to her pre-pregnancy weight than mothers who formula-feed.
- Reduced costs to breastfeed (no formula to buy) and reduced healthcare costs for the baby.
- Reduce time off work because of a sick infant.
If Breastfeeding Isn’t Successful
While breastfeeding has many benefits, the mother’s health, a lack of family or other support, the demands of a job and other factors may prevent a mother from breastfeeding.
“Work can present a hurdle because women need to express breast milk during the day,” Rott said. “She could become discouraged if her workplace doesn’t offer a convenient place to do this.”
For some women, the cost of a breast pump may impede their desire to breastfeed. “We try to make sure women have the resources they need to get off to a good start with breastfeeding,” Klemstein said.
“A woman may also feel discouraged if the breastfeeding isn’t going well,” Klemstein said. “But it’s important to understand that there will be ups and downs. There’s no right or wrong way to breastfeed. It takes time. All the work a mother does in the beginning will pay off in the long run.”
“It’s a job so well worth learning,” Rott said.
Tips for Breastfeeding SuccessIf a new mother plans to breastfeed, she should learn as much as possible about it before the baby is born. “Three things are needed for successful nursing: patience, practice and positioning,” Rott said. “It’s important to have an open mind, take assistance (especially during your hospital stay) and remain committed. It’s an art that must be learned.”
Each month, Rott and Klemstein conduct a three-hour class to teach mothers-to-be how to prepare for breastfeeding. The class should be taken about four weeks before delivery, and a spouse or support person should attend as well. The class is held at the Community Conference Center, 8700 Watertown Plank Road. The $10 course fee is for the couple. To register, visit our online Class Registration calendar.
La Leche League, a national support organization for nursing mothers, has chapters in many cities that meet regularly to discuss breastfeeding concerns and offer support. Interested women or couples are welcome to attend La Leche League meetings without charge. League leaders offer advice by phone as well. To find a convenient La Leche League chapter, call 800-LA-LECHE.
ResourcesSmall Stones, a health resource center of Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, offers the following resources on breastfeeding:
The Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen Huggins, RN, MS
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Jack Newman, MD, and Teresa Pitman
Nursing Your Baby by Karen Pryor and Gale Pryor
Breastfeeding Made Simple by Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC
Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding by Eileen Behan, RD
Mothering Your Nursing Toddler by Norma Jane Bumgarner
The Nursing Mother’s Guide to Weaning by Kathleen Huggins, RN, MS
Medela Lactina Select breast pumps are available for rent at Small Stones. Other Medela breast pumps and accessories are available for sale. In addition, the nurse educators at Small Stones are available to provide information and support for your breastfeeding experience
Author: Marla Fraunfelder | Medical Reviewer: | Rachel Klemstein, BSN, RN, IBCLC, and Wanda Rott, RN, IBCLC |
Last Review Date: May 1, 2009 Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler
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