|
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding
for a year or more after birth. The following are short and
long term benefits to both mother and baby.
Benefits to Mother and Family:
Convenient and cost-efficient
Effective, free postpartum contraception for 3 to 6 months
Produces no waste
Promotes postpartum healing
Reduces parental absences from work due to child's illnesses
Lowers risk of ovarian cancer and premenopausal breast cancer
in mother
Enhances mother-baby relationship
Benefits to Infants:
Superior nutrition
Better brain development
Reduced risk of necrotizing entercolitis (life-threatening intestinal
infection)
Reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome
Increased resistance to infection, fewer allergies, fewer stomach
upsets
Lower risk of cancers
Emotional security and improved developmental outcome
Other information about breastfeeding:
Breast size does not correlate with breastfeeding ability. Some
women with small breasts cannot breastfeed, but this is a rare
condition.
You can go back to work while you are breastfeeding. You can
pump milk at work and breastfeed in the morning and night.
Breast milk is particularly good for premature babies even if
it has to be administered through a tube.
Women who have had breast reduction surgery may have trouble
breastfeeding, because the surgical techniques done in the past
destroyed the duct system. Conversely, breast implants are placed
under the breast tissue where they don't interfere with breastfeeding.
If you don't have enough milk, it is important to let the baby
feed longer, emptying the breast, and to use one breast predominately
for each feeding. Alternating breasts from one feeding to another
will help.
Mastitis often occurs in the second or third week of nursing.
The breast becomes red, hot, and tender, with swelling and a
fever. Treatment includes nursing on the unaffected side first.
Treatment with antibiotics, heat, fluids, and a pain reliever
such as Tylenol or Advil is indicated.
Lactation Consultants:
Sky Ridge Medical Center (720) 225-2225
Swedish Medical Center (303) 788-7842
Littleton Hospital (303) 734-8744
|
