August Is National Breastfeeding Month
The United States Breastfeeding Committee designates August as National Breastfeeding Month, so designated by the United States Breastfeeding Committee. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association recommend nursing for the first year of a baby’s life. Why? Nursing is a healthy choice for both moms and babies, with many benefits, including a fast and strong bond between baby and Mom.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. This type of tooth decay often occurs when a baby is put to bed with a bottle containing formula, milk or fruit juice.
The ADA found that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 12 months or more were less likely to have teeth alignment issues such as open bites, crossbites, and overbites.
Still, a breastfed baby may need braces someday. Other factors, including genetics, pacifier use, and thumb sucking affect alignment. But why not control those factors that you can control?
Breast milk and Baby:
- Is easier for babies to digest than formula
- Is the best source of nutrition for baby
- Changes to meet the nutritional needs of a growing baby.
- Helps protect baby from infection and illnesses like ear infections by providing immunities from Mom to the baby
- May lower a child’s risk of obesity and asthmaCan also help lower baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Breastfed infants tend to have fewer speech problems than bottle-fed infants
Breastfeeding and Mom:
- Moms who breastfeed have lower rates of ovarian and breast cancer
- Moms who breastfeed have lower rates of high blood pressure
- Moms who breastfeed have lower rates of Type 2 diabetes
- Breastfeeding helps the Mother’s body return to normal and decreases blood loss after the baby is born
To get ready to breastfeed, while Mom is pregnant, she can:
- Talk to the doctor or midwife about breastfeeding
- Do her own research
- Ask family members for support
- Realize that in the first couple of months, babies need to nurse every few hours, even at night
- Learn about breast pumping, especially if Mom wants other family members to be able to feed the baby
- Find out how to eat healthy while breastfeeding
Once baby is born:
- The doctor, nurse or midwife know that immediate skin-to-skin contact with baby is important, and nursing is the best way to do that
- Nurse whenever baby is hungry
- Ask health professionals for help anytime. They can answer questions about nursing.
Breast milk is the perfect food for baby. Breastfeeding gives Mom and baby a closeness that is delightful. The emotional satisfaction is intense and is so unique for each Mom and her baby, truly a time to be cherished.
