Weekly Wellness Check-In: Breastfeeding

It’s such an exciting time when a new baby comes into the family. Everyone wants to give that baby a healthy start to life. Breastfeeding is one of the most important ways to do this. Breast milk is the safest and healthiest food for your baby. It’s easily digested and provides all the nutrition your baby needs, which helps your baby have better jaw and tooth development and a stronger immune system. In addition, breastfeeding will reduce your baby’s risk of developing many health issues in the future, such as asthma, obesity, and diabetes. Breastfeeding is not only the best thing for babies. It’s also good for moms and the community. Breastfeeding reduces a mom’s chances of getting certain cancers, it helps a mom heal after a baby’s birth, and it often helps women return more quickly to pre-pregnancy weight. For a lot of women, breastfeeding also saves time and money. Formula can be expensive and time consuming to prepare. But breast milk is always ready and always at the right temperature, which is great when you’re tired. And finally, breast milk is better for the environment because it helps us cut down on the amount of cans and bottles that we use. For all of these reason, doctors recommend that women only feed their children with breast milk for the first six months of life, and then continue to breastfeed for the next six months while also mixing in other foods. If your work schedule or other issues make breastfeeding a challenge, a certified lactation consultant can talk to you about pumping and other options. You can contact us at the Rhode Island Department of Health to connect with a certified lactation consultant. Breastfeeding is not just a lifestyle decision. It’s an investment in the long-term health of you and your baby.