August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. This campaign informs women of the multitude of benefits babies are armed with for life when they are breastfed exclusively for at least 6 months.

It’s no secret that breastfeeding has multiple benefits for both baby and mom, besides the incomparable connection that breastfeeding provides between the two. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop colds, viruses, and other illnesses as an infant, and less likely to develop certain chronic diseases later in life. It also reduces their risk of childhood obesity and cancers.

Mom’s milk is perfect. It contains exactly what your baby needs to get a healthy start in life and changes its make up right there along with your baby’s growth needs. First-time moms sometimes worry that they aren’t feeding their baby enough – the good news is that as long as he is gaining the appropriate amount of weight, he’s getting enough. Besides being tailored to meet nutrient demands, breast milk also has special enzymes in it that help babies digest the milk and absorb more nutrients and proteins than they would if they were formula fed.

Combine all of these benefits (and many more) with the benefits mom receives, such as a decreased risk of osteoporosis later in life, help with postpartum weight loss, and a reduced risk of breast cancer, and it’s easy to see why so many women make the decision to breastfeed. A large number of women begin breastfeeding, but only a fraction of those women are still breastfeeding by the 6-month mark. This can be due to unforeseen frustrations (breastfeeding can be hard!), a physical inability to produce enough milk, or even inconvenience. By making women more aware of the benefits, the hope is that more women would be encouraged enough to stick with the process even if they have discomfort, pain, and inconvenience.

If you need more information on why breastfeeding is the right decision for you and your baby, or help with breastfeeding complications, please contact our office. A consultation with our Certified Lactation Counselor could provide you with all of the knowledge you need to be able to successfully give your baby the healthiest start to life possible.