The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year of your baby’s life. Breast milk is the ideal food for your baby. It contains all the right ingredients in just the right amounts. Since breast milk is easier to digest than formula, breastfed babies have less constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. Babies who are breastfed have fewer health problems, including fewer ear infections, urinary infections, respiratory infections and fewer allergies.

Breastfeeding is good for you too! Breastfeeding your baby helps you develop a close bond with your baby. Breastfeeding helps you to lose weight faster because it takes a lot of energy for your body to produce milk. It also helps your uterus to return to normal faster. And of course, it is much more cost effective than formula and there are no bottles to wash!

As a new breastfeeding mom, you will have lots of questions. Ask your prenatal care provider about any questions you may have and also ask about any resources that may be available to help you. Many hospitals have lactation consultants (a specialist who has been trained to teach and advise women about breastfeeding) on staff to help new mothers breastfeed successfully. Breastfeeding classes are also available through some hospitals and prenatal care provider offices.

For more information about breastfeeding:

American Academy of Pediatrics:
www.aap.org

La Leche League:
www.lalecheleague.org

March of Dimes:
www.marchofdimes.com

For a list of Brevard County Breastfeeding Resources, please call us at Community Connect: (321) 634-6101.

We’ve gathered resources and general information designed to help you understand aspects of health related to you before, during, and after pregnancy and general information all about baby care.