Got Questions?
We've collected resources to answer some Frequently Asked Questions around the chest/breastfeeding journey.
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RISKS OF NOT BREASTFEEDING
PARENT BENEFITS
Benefits
Thousands of children's lives could be saved every year among children under 5 years, if all children 0–23 months were optimally breastfed. During the first 2 years of a child's life optimal nutrition lowers morbidity and mortality, reduces the risk of chronic disease and fosters better development overall. Breastfeeding could save the lives of over 820,000 children under the age of 5 each year. Undernutrition is estimated to be associated with 2.7 million child deaths annually or 45% of all child deaths.
PARENT BENEFITS
Breastfeeding has been shown to save families significant amounts of money since formula does not need to be purchased as well as promoting the health of mother and baby. Improving child development and reducing health costs through breastfeeding results in economic gains for individual families as well as at the national level.
> Reduced Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Newborns
GETTING STARTED
Breastfeeding the newborn is a unique period of time, that with skilled care and direction can lead to the attainment of the parent's goals. Prenatal education and postpartum assistance play a key role in successful newborn nursing.
SLEEPING
Safe sleep is important whether or not its co-sleeping or its baby sleeping separate from parent. There is valuable research and evidence showing that co-sleeping is beneficial to the development of the breastfeeding relationship between mother and baby during the newborn stage and can be done safely.
Feeding
LATCH
the latch of the baby is very significant in the development of milk supply as well as baby's and parent's comfort at the breast.
POSITION
BEST supports the concept of natural breastfeeding using mother's body and its connection to baby's body to create a comfortable and effective way for latching the baby. This approach will encourage and amplify baby's inborn reflexes that are meant to assist baby with finding the breast and latching from the first seconds after birth.
PUMPING
It's important to differentiate between breastfeeding and pumping as two different skills for each mother to develop. Pumping preparation is often left out of lactation education but is important for the development and maintenance of the milk supply. Each pump is a machine and will require each mother to learn how to react to the pump as if it her baby.
Pumps available for free or a deductible cost through health insurance.
Working
Since 2010 there has been federal protection for hourly and salaried employees to be provided with break times for expressing milk at work.
Toddlers
WHO and other scientific bodies promote breastfeeding into toddlerhood or as long as both mother and baby are wanting to continue this relationship. Breastmilk remains nutritious and protective of the child no matter how old the child.
> Is Baby Ready for Solid Foods?
FAQ
CHEST CONCERNS
Painful chest or nipples can make it difficult to continue breastfeeding. Taking care of chest concerns is a key step into having an enjoyable and successful breastfeeding experience.
BABY GETTING ENOUGH
TONGUE TIE
SEX AND BREASTFEEDING
COVID AND BREASTFEEDING
Equity
POC BREASTFEEDING
NONBINARY CHESTFEEDING