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Breastfeeding and nutrition go hand-in-hand

Published: March 13, 2011 4:00 AM

For nine months, a mother's womb and its placenta shelter and nourish her baby. But during this time a mother's body is also preparing to nourish her baby after birth by producing milk. Breastmilk has every vitamin, mineral, and nutritional element a baby needs, including many that haven't been discovered or named yet. And amazingly, breastmilk changes subtly through each feeding, day, and year to match the changes in a baby's needs. For example, colostrum, the milk produced in small amounts the first few days, has concentrated immunological properties for protection against all the germs a baby is suddenly exposed to. These immune factors in milk then change in response to the baby's growth and further environmental exposure to germs. And even in each individual feeding, breastmilk changes from an initial lower fat milk to a more higher-calorie fat as the baby nurses longer. Also, all of these natural elements in breastmilk are easy for a baby's delicate system to digest. Essentially, the nutrients, immunities, and unique factors of a mother's milk can't be duplicated, and can have major benefits on a baby's health and development.Breastfed babies have less digestive issues, fewer respiratory and ear infections, lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and lower risk of developing asthma, allergies, diabetes, and certain childhood cancers. Breastmilk contains special factors that promote nervous system and brain development, and enhance vaccine effectiveness. And breastfeeding mothers also experience many benefits including, decreasing the risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, improving bone thickness and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, and helping shrink the uterus after childbirth and prevent post-partum hemorrhage. Besides all of the great health benefits, breastfeeding facilitates an emotional connection. During breastfeeding, a mother's body releases the hormones prolactin and oxytocin, which are not only responsible for milk production and release, but also foster feelings of relaxation and nurturing to promote emotional bonding.Ohio WIC, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and all major health professional organizations recommend breastmilk over artificial formula. Guernsey County WIC promotes breastfeeding by providing infant feeding and breastfeeding preparation classes, WIC enhanced food packages for breastfeeding mothers, and individual education and support. Certified Lactation Consultants, who are legally certified and educated to give breastfeeding help, and a Peer Helper, a mother with personal breastfeeding experience, are available at the WIC program.

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