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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