Forward Together – Breastfeeding Initiative

August is National Breastfeeding Month!

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness month and this year the US Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) has assigned “Forward Together” as the theme.

The benefits of providing human breast milk through breastfeeding are many and immediate in giving babies a healthy start. It is also beneficial for the breastfeeding parent.

For babies, human breast milk is a great source of nutrition. It meets all of a baby’s nutritional needs and it has long-term benefits that will last into adulthood. The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans along with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed for about 6 months and then gradually introduced to appropriate foods all while continuing to breastfeed until the baby is 12 months to 2 years of age or older.

• Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for most babies.  It’s easily digestible and, as a baby grows, breastmilk adapts to meet the baby’s nutritional needs.
• Breastfeeding is convenient and saves time!  Babies can be breastfed anytime and anywhere.  Breastfeeding parents don’t have to worry about mixing, heating, or preparing bottles.
• Breastfeeding is comforting!  Babies love to snuggle, and breastfeeding offers a great opportunity to make them feel safe, warm, secure, and loved.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to have illnesses such as ear infections, respiratory illnesses, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues.
• Breastfeeding is linked to lower rates of childhood obesity, it supports brain development and cognitive function and reduces the risk of long-term chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, allergies and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Breastmilk contains antibodies that come from the breastfeeding parent. For example, if a parent gets immunized for a specific disease, these antibodies may be present in the breastmilk providing the baby with some protection from that disease. Antibodies in breastmilk help to protect babies from illnesses and help them to develop strong immune systems.

For parents, the benefits of breastfeeding include reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Skin-to-skin contact from breastfeeding raises the levels of oxytocin, a hormone that reduces bleeding after delivery, helps breastmilk flow, and is calming.

Any amount of breast milk will have a positive benefit and the longer a baby is breastfed, the greater the benefits and the longer those benefits will last.

Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) employs several Certified Lactation Consultants (CLC) and partners with local International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC). Breastfeeding resources available through RRMC are on our website Video - Breastfeeding: Breast Milk Production and Benefits. RRMC also hosts a virtual breastfeeding class every other month Breastfeeding Support and has volunteers who can visit you during your hospital stay and coach on breastfeeding techniques and tips. In addition to these great resources RRMC also has a Mamava^® Lactation Pod to provide visitors and staff access to a private, comfortable space for breastfeeding parents to nurse or pump. 

By Jody McIntosh, MSN, BS, CIC, Nurse Manager of the Women's & Children's Unit and Birthing Center at Rutland Regional Medical Center.