Benefits of Breastfeeding

The components of human milk are uniquely formulated to provide your baby complete nutrition in the most easily and readily digestible form. Benefits of breastfeeding are numerous and include:

• protection from gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and ear infections (due to antibodies that are passed from the mother to the baby);
• protection against allergies (It's a common misconception that a baby can be allergic to his mother's milk. It is more likely that he is allergic to something in his mother's diet. If the mother eliminates common allergens from her diet that usually resolves the problem in the baby.);
• increase in intelligence (due to increased emotional contact);
• reduced chance of obesity later in life (due to no overeating or forced feeding as well as the ideal composition for baby's metabolism);
• highly portable and convenient food source (it's impossible for you to forget the baby's food at home and you can feed your baby anywhere with no extra supplies necessary);
• may help you lose weight after the birth (due to increased caloric demand);
• reduces your chance of pre-menopausal breast cancer;
• increases your sense of attachment toward your baby and increases your level of relaxation (due to the hormones secreted while lactating);
• can be used as birth control if certain rules are followed (click the link to learn more about the Lactation Amenorrhea Method of birth control).

Tips to Get Off on a Good Start

• Before the birth, read a good book on breastfeeding such as The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League, The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. Sears, or The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Dr. Jack Newman.
• Keep your baby with you immediately after the birth and initiate breastfeeding as soon as he is interested. Latching on within the first hour really helps ensure that breastfeeding will go smoothly.
• Make sure the baby's latch is correct (explicit photos).
• Room in with your baby (instead of sending your baby to the nursery) so that you can feed your baby as soon as her cues indicate she is hungry.
• Drink lots of water. Your body needs water in order to produce milk.
• Sleep when the baby sleeps so that you will be well rested. Stress can inhibit your milk supply.
• Nurse on demand (when the baby is hungry) rather than on a schedule so that your supply will be adequate for your baby's needs and your baby will have his hunger and thirst satisfied.

La Leche League

La Leche League is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and support mothers in nursing their babies. I highly recommend attending La Leche League meetings prior to and after your baby's birth to help prepare for a successful breastfeeding relationship and to receive information and support after the baby's birth.

• La Leche League groups in Utah.