Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in General Health News
August is National Breastfeeding Month. You can trust our knowledgeable OB-GYNs and pediatricians to help you with all aspects of breastfeeding so you and your baby can get the most benefits.
Breastfeeding rates continue to rise in the U.S, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) Among infants born in 2013, 81.1 percent of moms started to breastfeed, over half (51.8 pct.) were breastfeeding their baby at 6 months, and almost one third (30.7 pct.) were breastfeeding at 12 months.
Health4mom.org lists the top benefits of breastfeeding:
- More bonding: Skin-to-skin contact from birth on during breastfeeding stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone that facilitates bonding between mother and baby.
- Better brains: Breast milk builds better brains. Breastfeeding is linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in most such studies.
- Less diarrhea: Breast milk promotes higher quality bacteria in baby's gut and poop, reducing diarrhea and baby's chances of becoming obese or ever having type 2 diabetes.
- Fewer infections: Breast milk gives babies antibodies that they cannot make in any other way. These antibodies fight off viruses and bacteria that cause illness long before babies can be fully immunized and make those antibodies themselves.
- Reduced SIDS risk: Breastfed babies have a reduced risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
- Lower risk of cancer and osteoporosis: Breastfeeding lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer by about 20 percent each. Some studies are also showing it reduces your risk of bone thinning (osteopenia and osteoporosis) and even hip fracture later in life.
- Faster weight loss: If the first 6 reasons aren't enough to convince you to breastfeed your baby, consider that you burn an extra 500 calories a day when nursing. This could cause at least as much as a 1 pound loss a week while nursing.
If you have more questions, a Signature specialist will be glad to help. Make an appointment today.
Tags
- breastfeeding
- gynecology
- ob/gyn
- obstetrics