August is National Breastfeeding Month which brings awareness to the benefits of breastfeeding and the healthy outcomes for babies who are breastfed. After having a baby, mothers are faced with many decisions. One of the most important is whether or not to breastfeed a newborn. For some mothers, breastfeeding is not an option because of health concerns for her or the baby. For others, breastfeeding is a good fit for both individuals. Still, others may be unsure if breastfeeding is right for them because of work constraints or personal reasons. Knowing the facts about breastfeeding can help mothers decide whether it is right for them or not.

Breast milk reduces the risk of infections in the gastrointestinal, urinary and respiratory tracts, lowers the rate of ear infections and protects against allergies, diabetes and later in life, obesity.

Other important medical findings regarding breastfeeding include:

• Babies’ intelligence has been linked to being breastfed- those who were breastfed were smarter.
• Higher pain relief and reduced stress levels have been found in breastfed babies.
• Breastfeeding helps build stronger bones for babies.
• Breast milk has higher levels of good cholesterol in it, which is essential for proper growth and development.

Short and long-term benefits also exist for breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding increases production of oxytocin, a hormone that has a calming effect and helps produce milk. Nursing can also protect mothers from postpartum depression and massive postpartum bleeding or hemorrhaging. Furthermore, it can improve blood sugar control and raise good cholesterol, HDL, levels, which can reduce heart disease risks.

If a mother does decide to breastfeed, it can take a few minutes for a mother’s milk to flow in the beginning, but within a few days the process should be a lot smoother. This “let down” reflex can cause some pain in the uterus, similar to menstrual cramps because of the oxytocin production. The pain is a sign that the uterus is starting to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy shape and size. If the pain does not lessen within a week, you should speak with your physician.

In certain situations, mothers may be unable to breastfeed or advised against it. These situations may include if a mother is taking medications that may pass through the milk, if she has an infection or if the baby is premature. Mothers should discuss health concerns including tuberculosis, hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, human T cell lymphotropic virus infection, herpes simplex, West Nile fever and chickenpox (varicella) with their physicians before making the decision regarding breastfeeding. Mothers should also discuss with their physicians if they are using alcohol, over-the-counter, prescription and/or illegal drugs. Prescription medications used to treat thyroid conditions, cancer, high blood pressure, anxiety or depression and migraines should be especially noted.

Mothers also may not breastfeed because of various other reasons. For instance, some mothers may elect not to breastfeed because of work commitments. Others may not breastfeed due to a fear of embarrassment of nursing in public.

Breastfeeding is an important decision for most mothers during and after pregnancy. Many books, Web sites and classes are available about breastfeeding and alternative feeding options. Contact Dr. Byrom at Tennova Pediatrics – Tullahoma for information on local breastfeeding support groups and individual assistance available with certified lactation counselors.