August: National Breastfeeding Month

August is National Breastfeeding Month

Submitted by: Alicia Garcia, Patient Advocate

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding alongside introduction of appropriate complementary foods for 1 year or longer. The World Health Organization also recommends exclusively breastfeeding up to 6 months of age with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to 2 years of age or beyond.

Infants who are breastfed have reduced risks of:
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Ear and respiratory infections
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting)
• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) for preterm infants

Breastfeeding can help lower a mother’s risk of:
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Ovarian cancer
• Breast cancer

For more informaiton:  https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/about-breastfeeding/why-it-matters.html

While research shows that breastfeeding provides many health benefits for you and your baby. It can be difficult to manage breastfeeding in today’s hurried world.

Why Do Mothers Stop Breastfeeding Early?
60% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intend to. How long a mother breastfeeds her baby (duration) is influenced by many factors including:
• Issues with lactation and latching.
• Concerns about infant nutrition and weight.
• Mother’s concern about taking medications while breastfeeding.
• Unsupportive work policies and lack of parental leave.
• Cultural norms and/or lack of family support.
• Unsupportive hospital practices and policies.

Need help with breastfeeding?

Arizona 24-hour Breastfeeding Hotline for breastfeeding questions: 1-800-833-4642.

Breastfeeding Professionals
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). IBCLCs are certified breastfeeding professionals with the highest level of knowledge and skill in breastfeeding support. IBCLCs help with a wide range of breastfeeding concerns. To earn the IBCLC certification, candidates must have a medical or health-related education and breastfeeding-specific education and experience. They must also pass a challenging exam. Ask your obstetrician, pediatrician, or midwife for the name of a lactation consultant who can help you.
• CLCs (Certified Lactation Counselors) or CBEs (Certified Breastfeeding Educators). A breastfeeding counselor or educator teaches about breastfeeding and helps women with basic breastfeeding challenges and questions. These counselors and educators have special breastfeeding training, usually a one-week-long course.
• Doulas (DOO-las). A doula is professionally trained to give birthing families social and emotional support during pregnancy, labor, and birth, as well as at home during the first few days or weeks after the baby is born. Doulas who are trained in breastfeeding can help you learn to breastfeed.

Camelback Women’s Health proudly recommends:

 

 

 

 

Breastfeeding Resources
• American Academy of Family Physicians
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Human Milk Banking Association of North America
• International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA)
• La Leche League International
• National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health
• Office on Women’s Health
• Wellstart International
• World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action
• World Breastfeeding Week

Federal Breastfeeding Programs

WIC program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (commonly called WIC) offers food, nutrition counseling, and access to health services for low-income women, infants, and children.
Breastfeeding mothers supported by WIC may receive peer counselor support, an enhanced food package, breast pumps, and other supplies. Breastfeeding mothers can also participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers. Many WIC offices have an IBCLC as well.
You can check to see whether you qualify for WIC benefits. Find contact information for your local WIC program, or call the national WIC office at (800) 252-5942.
• OWH Helpline (800-994-9662). The Office on Women’s Health Helpline is staffed with breastfeeding peer counselors who can answer your breastfeeding questions in English or Spanish, support you through breastfeeding challenges, and connect you with other resources to help if needed.
The OWH Helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. The Helpline is closed on federal holidays.

The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. Learning all you can before you give birth can help. As a new mom, you deserve support no matter how you decide to feed your baby.

If you need assistance locating a breastfeeding professional, or applying for a breastfeeding program, please contact our Patient Advocate Alicia Garcia (602) 494-5050.

Posted in: Breastfeeding

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