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Why Breastfeed?
- Optimal nutrition: Formula seeks to replicate breastmilk, and while technology has come a long way, it has not succeeded as yet in doing so.
- Easier for an infant to digest than formula
- Improves infant ability to fight off viruses and bacteria
- Decreases risk of developing allergies and asthma
- Lower rate of doctor visits and hospitalizations
- Some studies have attributed higher IQ, lower rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), lower risk of conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers
- Bonus for mothers: Lowers risk of breast and ovarian cancer; may lower risk for osteoporosis; saves time and money; helps lose pregnancy weight faster.
Common Barriers to Breastfeeding
- Lack of knowledge: most are aware that breastfeeding is best source of nutrition, but less so about specifics about benefits and risks associated with not breastfeeding.
- Social norms: Bottle feeding in the US is viewed as “normal.” Furthermore, our culture has discouraged breastfeeding in public and made women feel uncomfortable doing what is natural.
- Poor family and social support.
- Lactation problems: Both physical and concerns about whether infant is “getting enough.”
- Maternal employment and lack of access to a combination of leave time and access to appropriate place to express breast milk.
Our Program Goals
- To educate families and encourage breastfeeding
- To provide support for families that are attempting to breastfeed
- To provide all families access to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
- To identify and assist mothers who are suffering with post-partum depression