Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding ~ Mother Nature's Miracle Food

..The benefits of breastfeeding are well-recognized. In 2007,

       The benefits of breastfeeding are well-recognized. In 2007, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) published a report of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed countries. The benefits of breastfeeding were reaffirmed, including protection against otitis media, gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory infections, and necrotizing enterocolitis. In addition, the AHRQ report concluded that breastfeeding is associated with lower rates of sudden infant death syndrome, childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and leukemia. The maternal health benefits of breastfeeding were also identified, including reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, as well as breast & ovarian cancers.

      In light of the important maternal and child health benefits of breastfeeding, health professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American Dietetic Association, and the American Public Health Association, among others, officially recommend that most infants breastfeed for at least 12 months. These organizations also recommend that for about the first six months infants be exclusively breastfed, meaning that they not be given any foods
                                             or liquids other than breast milk.

Resources to help you learn about breastfeeding...

Mother's Milk ... on ... theVisualMD.com

Making sure that babies get the best possible nutrition during infancy has lifelong benefits. The same nutrients that help a mother maintain her health are broken down and re-assembled into a liquid food that is delivered to her infant, who will, in turn, break down and re-assemble these nutrients in the organ systems of his or her own growing body. Breast milk not only supports the foundation of infant growth and development in the first few months of life; it also sets the stage for better health in childhood and even later.

Mother's MilkMate Storage System...

The Importance of the "Latch-On"

	R.apid A.rm M.ovement	R.A.M. your baby towards your breast with a wide, open mouth.
		Remember... Belly-to-belly, Deep breath & relax, Tuck the lower arm under, Take your time, don't rush ! If the first attempt is painful... Un-latch using a pinky into the corner of the baby's mouth, Try again ... YOU CAN DO IT !!

Publications ...

Breast Milk — This publication contains information on breast milk. It explains why it is better than cow's milk for infants, how breast milk is produced, how to establish, maintain or increase your milk supply, and how to store breast milk.

Breast Milk Associated With Greater Mental Development in Preterm Infants, Fewer Re-hospitalizations — This news release describes a study which found that premature infants fed breast milk had greater mental development scores at 30 months than did infants who were not fed breast milk. Also, infants fed breast milk were less likely to have been re-hospitalized after their initial discharge than were the infants not fed breast milk.

Breastfeeding — This web site briefly describes the benefits of breastfeeding, what to do if you have trouble breastfeeding, and links to information from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development about breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries — This report reviews the current evidence on the effects of breastfeeding on short- and long-term infant and maternal health outcomes in developed countries. It concludes that a history of breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of many diseases in infants and mothers from developed countries.

Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Pediatric Overweight?

— Did you know that breastfeeding your child can reduce the chance that he or she will be overweight? This booklet explains the research behind this discovery and answers some of the questions you may have about the benefits of breastfeeding.

Feeding Baby with Breast Milk or Formula — This brochure helps parents decide on the way to feed their baby. Breastfeeding is the best, but if it's not possible, there are helpful tips for using formula.
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/feedbby.html

A Well-Kept Secret- Breastfeeding's Benefits to Mothers (Copyright © LLLI) — This publication contains information on the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby and the mother. It includes information on physiologic effects and long-term benefits.
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBJulAug01p124.html

Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding (Copyright © Kids Health) — This publication contains information on the benefits of breastfeeding, the pros and cons of bottle-feeding, instructions on how to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, as well as answers to common breastfeeding questions.

— Low birth weight babies are at risk for developing diabetes and heart disease later in life, but good feeding practices can lower the risk. This fact sheet describes how you can reduce the risks of disease with good breastfeeding practices.

Feeding Your Newborn (Copyright © Kids Health) — This publication contains information on breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby, the advantages of breastfeeding, limitations of both, and possible challenges.

Got Mom... (Copyright © ACNM) — GotMom.org was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives to provide breastfeeding information and resources for mothers and families. It contains information on why breast milk is best, dispels common misunderstandings about breastfeeding, and it provides a list of resources that can help women and families with breastfeeding.

What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding my Baby? (Copyright © LLLI) — This publication contains information on the benefits of breastfeeding, including the benefits for the baby, the mother, employers, and the environment.

What are the Benefits of Breastfeeding my Toddler? (Copyright © La Leche League International) — This publication describes how breastfeeding your toddler can help their ability to mature and their understanding of discipline as well as provide protection from illness and allergies.

What's in Breast Milk? (Copyright © APA) — Proteins, fats and vitamins are some of the substances that make up breast milk. This publication describes the composition of breast milk and what makes it the best source of nutrition for your baby.

Home Birth Midwifery Service

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Mother's Milk ... on ... theVisualMD.com

Organizations