Giving Moms a Boost When it Comes to Breastfeeding

This week, countries around the world are examining what it means to support breastfeeding moms as part of World Breastfeeding Week. The support and understanding moms receive from loved ones, other mothers and professionals is crucial to breastfeeding success.

Breastfeeding provides a wealth of short- and long-term health benefits for moms and babies. As nature's perfect food, breastmilk provides babies with antibodies that protect against upper-respiratory, ear and gastrointestinal infections during their first year of life. Additionally, research shows that breastfeeding helps babies transition from the womb to the outside world; decreases the risk of obesity; and helps protect against a host of ailments and illnesses, such as asthma, allergies and childhood cancers.

Nursing can also help moms get a jump start on post-pregnancy weight loss and reduce their risk of developing UTIs, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancers such as breast, ovarian and thyroid. Breastfeeding also is easier on the wallet and can save as much as $2,000 per year if a baby requires hypoallergenic formulas, according to askdrsears.com.

But the rewards of breastfeeding don't come without their challenges. Recent reports from the CDC show that while the number of moms who breastfeed immediately after giving birth is on the rise (77 percent of babies born in 2005-2006 were breastfed at some point), many struggle to make it to six months -- the recommended length for exclusive breastfeeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Though many mothers set out to nurse their newborns beyond the initial months after birth, breastfeeding misconceptions, lack of understanding from family and friends, and transitioning back to work make continued breastfeeding difficult.

What's more, while several states are moving toward meeting the Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 targets -- aimed at increasing the number of breastfeeding moms -- only four (Alaska, Montana, Oregon and Washington) have fully achieved the identified goals. Many hospitals also fall short when it comes to preparing and supporting a breastfeeding mom, according to a 2007 survey conducted by the CDC and the Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation.

Still, in light of these hurdles, there are steps moms can take to ensure a fulfilling nursing experience.

First, get smart about breastfeeding before your baby is born. Take a class or speak with a certified lactation consultant. Doing homework ahead of time can help prevent common breastfeeding challenges and misconceptions.

Reach out to others who have been down this road before and can give advice and encouragement. La Leche League International (LLLI) and the Nursing Mothers' Council are two support organizations dedicated to improving the breastfeeding experience for moms (contact your local hospital for a support group in your area). Group meetings offer the chance to create a social circle centered on nursing and parenting.

Think ahead about your return to the office if you plan to work and breastfeed. Talk to human relations before you go on maternity leave to find a solution that works for you. And choose a breastpump that mimics what babies do naturally to make pumping as quick and easy as possible. Look for research-based breastpumps that have been demonstrated to imitate a baby's natural sucking rhythm, which begins with rapid sucking to stimulate milk ejection reflex (MER), followed by longer, deeper sucking once milk starts to flow.

But it's not all up to moms -- equally important is the support they receive from loved ones. Postpartum adjustment isn't easy, and new moms need all the help they can get. It's essential for the people closest to them to listen to their needs and concerns, and offer positive feedback on mothering, parenting and feeding. A fatigued new mom can also benefit from a simple gesture, such as an offer to help with household chores.

With the proper planning and support, breastfeeding can become a unique bonding experience that moms look back at fondly for years to come.

Irene Zoppi is an international board certified lactation consultant and Medela clinical education specialist

Comments

[Mother77]

Why does society think they can rethink what comes naturally? Holding your baby to your breast is connection to the maternal instincct. The baby grows healthy and bonded with the mother and the mother bonds with her baby....geez, THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. It's a no-thinking fly zone.