fbpx

Breastfeeding Essentials

August 3, 2019


For new moms, breastfeeding may seem like a daunting task. While it may become second nature over time, many new moms experience a learning curve when they first begin breastfeeding. Add in the fact that breastfeeding moms often experience difficulty and discomfort, and it’s no surprise that many new mothers feel overwhelmed or even discouraged when they begin.

While every new mom’s experience will be different, having the right breastfeeding resources and guidance can be helpful to both mothers and babies. In today’s post we’ll review the basic benefits of breastfeeding and highlight some essentials that can make it easier.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies

Nutrition

Breastmilk provides essential nutrients needed to promote your baby’s growth and development. As your baby grows, your breastmilk actually changes to adapt to his or her changing nutritional needs.1

Easier Digestion

Breastmilk is easier to digest than formula, making it easier for your baby’s body to process. It is a more efficient form of nutrition for your growing baby.1

Protection from Illnesses

Breastmilk contains antibodies that help protect your baby from certain illnesses, such as ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and allergies.2 Research has shown that the longer your baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits are to his or her health.2 Even a difference of a few months can make a big difference. In one study, researchers found that babies had a higher risk of developing respiratory infections such as pneumonia if they were exclusively breastfed for four months as compared to six months.2 Breastmilk can also help reduce the risk of several short-term and long-term health problems that preterm babies face.1

Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

SIDS is the unexpected death of an infant in which the cause is unknown. It is sometimes called “crib death” or “cot death” because it most often occurs during sleep.2 Research has found that breastfed infants have a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).1

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom

Breastfeeding doesn’t just help protect and strengthen babies; it can also provide health benefits to mothers as well.

Breastfeeding triggers the release of a hormone called oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract, helping it return to its normal size more quickly after giving birth. This hormone may also help reduce the amount of bleeding moms experience after birth.1

Breastfeeding can also make it easier for moms to lose the weight gained during pregnancy and may reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.1

Breastfeeding Must-Haves

To help make breastfeeding easier, we’ve compiled a list of must-haves for new moms. Having access to these items and resources should help make breastfeeding more enjoyable for you and your baby:

  • Lactation consultant at birth
  • Burping cloths
  • Nipple cream
  • Nursing bra
  • Nursing cover
  • Nursing pads
  • Breast pump
  • Breastmilk storage items, such as bottles and bags

Working with a Lactation Consultant

Because breastfeeding can be so beneficial to moms and babies, it’s important to use the valuable resources and insight a lactation consultant can provide. When working with your lactation consultant, be sure to communicate any concerns or difficulties you’re experiencing. Your lactation consultant can help you find a technique that works best for your situation, whether you’re experiencing discomfort, low milk supply, oversupply, latching issues or challenges nursing multiples. Some lactation consultants may even be available to provide worksite or in-home lactation support after your hospital stay. This can be a highly valuable resource for new moms, as post-discharge outpatient lactation visits have been shown to increase breastfeeding initiation and intensity.3

Vitamins for Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding moms need to keep their own nutrition in in mind too. Prenate® Restore is a once-daily vitamin for breastfeeding mothers that’s designed to support the nutritional needs of moms and their babies. Prenate® Restore includes nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, DHA and probiotics that help infants achieve optimal growth and promote brain, immune system and gut development.4-6 Prenate® Restore is also appropriate during pregnancy, which means that expecting moms can start supplementation with Prenate® Restore before the arrival of their baby and continue taking it through delivery and postpartum. Talk to your doctor to see if Prenate® Restore is right for you.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

REFERENCES: 1. Breastfeeding Your Baby. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Breastfeeding-Your-Baby. Published March 2019. Accessed June 18, 2019. 2. Chantry CJ, Howard CR, Auinger P. Full breastfeeding duration and associated decrease in respiratory tract infection in US children. Pediatrics. 2006; 117(2):425-432 pmid:16452362. PubMed.gov. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16452362. Accessed June 18, 2019. 3. Ann M. Witt, Samantha Smith, Mary Jane Mason, Susan A. Flocke. Integrating Routine Lactation Consultant Support Into a Pediatric Practice. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2012; 38-42. PMC. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579324/. Accessed June 18, 2019. 4. Koo WW,  Warren L. Calcium and bone health in infants. Neonatal Netw. 2003; 22(5):23-37. 5. Helen IB, Smith L, Saarem K, Saugstad OD, Drevon CA. Maternal supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation augments children’s IQ at 4 years of age. Pediatrics. 2003; 111(1):e39-e44. 6. Hurry A, Laitinen K, Rautava S, Korkeamaki M, Isolauri E. Impact of maternal atopy and probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on infant sensitization: A double-blind placebo-controlled study. In Exp Allergy. 2008; 38:1342-1348.

Featured Posts

Categories

Connect with Prenate®

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

More Less

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

Pin It on Pinterest