The Importance of Breastfeeding

Since August is Breastfeeding Month, I have decided to share my own breastfeeding story and a few tips for moms who are wondering and have questions about the importance of breastfeeding. I totally understand that not every mother is able to breastfeed and it can often be frustrating when breastfeeding doesn’t go to plan. Thankfully, there are plenty of feeding options available on Tastyganics to choose from so that any baby can get the nutrients they need.

My son was almost two months premature! Yes! Scary, right?

But one of the things that I regret the most is not really having educated myself ahead of time. I also never received the help needed to help my son latch! This prevented me from feeding him my own breast milk for more than 30 days!

Here are some thoughts on the Importance of Breastfeeding

It’s true that newborns don’t come with instruction manuals.

That’s what I love about Inspira Health! Because they feel it’s important to create communities of new parents and families to learn about newborns and child-rearing in a relaxed environment.

They also offer expansive programming to families taught by certified instructors.

From hands-on classes that empower and build confidence in first-time parents, to classes for younger children to help them transition into the role of big brother or sister, Inspira recognizes that there are unique needs for different times in life.

That includes inclusive support classes for couples struggling to get pregnant, as well as parents and families suffering the loss of a baby from miscarriage stillbirth, SIDS or early infant death.

Today we will share one of their tips, Deborah Frye, RN, BSN, IBCLC, who will be sharing great insights on the breastfeeding topic:

• Breastfeeding during the first six months of baby’s life is not only recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics but it is also, according to Frye, the healthiest way to feed your child, when you’re able to do it.
• The Breastfeeding Benefits for Mothers: Frye says that breastfeeding decreases the risk for eventual cardiovascular disease, premenopausal ovarian and breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and postpartum depression.
• One of the most common challenges is the lack of knowledge. Breastfeeding is a foreign issue, it’s something mothers have never seen before, it’s a challenge we forget about.
• There are a few side effects from breastfeeding your baby, such as sore nipples or irritability, but you can keep breastfeeding fine as long as you take steps to prevent these effects and make sure they don’t become too much of an issue.

“It’s important to have a network, a lot of mothers are alone,” Frye stated. “We don’t know what tomorrow brings, our passion is to help mothers today!”

I can really relate to that, since I did not have a chance to have another one! It was like she was talking to me!

“Latching also presents a challenge sometimes. We make sure we educate moms before, during and after they leave the hospital!”

• On early labor, premature babies: Frye says: “so important to start a mom pumping right away with a pump to be able to maximize milk production!”
• Also pumping at least 8 times every day, drain the milk out! “Removing the milk, helps you make more milk”, that’s not arbitrary. The numbers come from a baby, from how often a baby nurses. Also having a very good pump makes a huge difference, so I recommend them renting a hospital grade pump and I give the moms info and help the moms have access to it!

I want to invite you to check out the resources and amazing breastfeeding offerings that Inspira Health has in our area, by clicking HERE.

I also wanted to end by sharing that almost 3,000 babies were born at Inspira’s hospitals in 2018!

Awesome, right?