Jaguars Cub Club Newsletter Cub Club Newsletter April 2017 | Page 4

Spring 2017
Why Breastfeed?
It's Great for Baby and Good for You
In the months leading up to the birth of a
child, moms have a lot of choices to make.
Where to deliver? How to set up the nursery?
Names! But one of the most important decisions
moms will make as they approach the big due
date is whether to breastfeed. Some moms may
not be able to for medical reasons, but for those
who can and choose to, there are some definite
advantages.
One is convenience. You have a ready-made
supply of milk on hand at all times. Breast milk
offers wonderful nutrition for baby with benefits
for mom.
After delivery, breastfeeding helps the uterus
return to normal size faster and assists with
weight loss. It also lowers mom’s risk of certain
cancers like breast, uterine, endometrial and
ovarian, and reduces the risk of osteoporosis,
heart disease and diabetes later in life.
“Breast milk is really more than just food,” said
Shelly Coates, MSN, IBCLC, a certified lactation
consultant at Baptist Medical Center South.
“It’s perfectly matched nutrition that also creates
a protective effect for baby.
“Breast milk defends against gastrointestinal
illnesses, supplies antibodies to help fight
infections, and lowers rates of respiratory
infections and allergies as well as diabetes and
childhood cancers,” said Coates, who works in the
Level II Newborn Intensive Care Unit. “It assists
with brain development, bonding, immune system
development and nurturing between mom and
baby.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first
6 months because it’s the only nutrition a baby
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needs until then, and then suggests continuing
for another 6 months as solid food is introduced.
After that, breastfeeding can continue as long as
mom and baby are comfortable.
What about scheduling? “Breastfeeding should
be ‘baby led’ because baby is the one who drives
the milk supply,” Coates said. “Babies will adjust
their patterns of feeding according to their
growth and developmental needs, and these
patterns will change as they grow.”
“Breast milk is really
more than just food... It’s
perfectly matched nutrition
that also creates a protective
effect for baby.”
What if breastfeeding isn’t going smoothly?
Sometimes, reassurance and support are just
what moms need when issues like diminished
supply, infant weight gain or painful latch
arise. Attending a support group provides
encouragement and the chance to learn what
works from other moms. Baptist Health offers free
breastfeeding support groups at two locations.
But some mothers can’t breastfeed because of
high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems
or other health reasons. “These moms certainly
shouldn’t feel guilty,” Coates said. “They can
still bond with and nurture their babies through
cuddling and careful attention to their needs.”