When it comes to breastfeeding, health benefits are for moms and babies.

Check out the following list of benefits for babies and moms and consider attending an upcoming breastfeeding support class led by Carolyn Jansa, WHNP-BC, IBCLC, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. The class will cover the benefits of breastfeeding, best practices, and how to solve common breastfeeding issues.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Babies:

1. Reduced risk of infections: Breast milk contains powerful antibodies that reduce the risk of babies getting sick with infections, including ear and respiratory infections, as well as digestive issues.
2. Improved gut health: Breast milk contains important prebiotics and probiotics that help babies develop a healthy gut microbiome (the good bacteria that lives in the gut). Good gut health is important for a growing child’s overall health, and breastfed babies have been shown to have healthier guts than formula-fed babies.
3. Lower risk of allergies and asthma: Breast milk contains proteins that help train the baby’s immune system, leading to a lower risk of developing asthma and allergies.
4. Lower risk of obesity: Breast milk helps regulate a baby’s appetite and metabolism, resulting in a lower risk of the baby becoming obese later in life.
5. Improved cognitive development: Breast milk contains nutrients that are important for healthy brain function and cognitive development.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mothers:

1. Reduced risk of breast cancer: Breastfeeding for at least 12 months can reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Breastfeeding helps to reduce the number of breast cells that are exposed to estrogen, a hormone that is linked to breast cancer.
2. Weight loss: Breastfeeding can help women lose weight after childbirth by burning calories that would otherwise be stored in the body as fat.
3. Reduced risk of ovarian cancer: Breastfeeding for at least 12 months can reduce a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer by reducing the number of eggs in the ovaries. These eggs are the cells that can develop into ovarian cancer.
4. Reduced risk of postpartum depression: Breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of postpartum depression for mothers by releasing hormones that have a mood-boosting affect for mothers.
5. Faster postpartum recovery: Breastfeeding can help the uterus contract and return to its normal size more quickly after childbirth, reducing the risk of bleeding and pain.

Hereford Regional Medical Center is committed to providing excellent care and education during your pregnancy, from pre-natal care to delivery to post-natal education. If you would like more information, call 806-364-7512 and ask to speak with our board-certified lactation consultant.