August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and a Marshfield Hospital Lactation Consultant is taking this opportunity to remind parents of the many health benefits for mothers who choose to breastfeed.
Marshfield Hospital Lactation Consultant, Kendal Stockel, said that breastfeeding has many health benefits for moms and babies. She said breastfed babies could prevent allergies and asthma later in life and decrease the risk of obesity.
Stockel added that breastfeeding provides excellent nutrition for the baby. She noted that it is ideal, it is well digested, and it is going to help the baby grow and thrive. She said that many people forget that mothers also benefit from breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding has health benefits for both mother and baby
She explained that for the mom, it prevents cancers later in life, particularly ovarian and breast cancer reduction. Stockel added that breastfeeding also reduces the risk of diabetes for the mother and promotes bonding between the parent and child by releasing hormones for both of them.
Although much information about breastfeeding is available, Stockel said it can still be challenging to navigate. Stockel told WEAU that social media gives a bunch of information, and there is data from formula and breast companies. That said, mothers don't always know what to believe and where to go.
The message has not been lost for Wisconsin mom Paige Wieker. When she found out that she was pregnant with her second little girl, she immediately knew that she wanted to breastfeed her future baby.
Wieker said that she planned on breastfeeding before they were born. She arrived at that decision mainly for the health benefits of it, but then there were many things along the way that she discovered and enjoyed about breastfeeding as well.
Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mom and baby
Wieker navigated her way through breastfeeding by seeking out plenty of resources. She said that she did some breastfeeding classes. She thinks knowing what was normal and what to expect with breastfeeding was super helpful.
Wieker has some advice about breastfeeding for her fellow mothers. She said they need to find out what works for them and their baby, adding that they should be open to not doing what the book says or what worked for their mom.
While rocking her seven-week-old infant Brett in her arms, Wieker said her favorite part of breastfeeding is the bond it creates for her and her baby daughter. She said it makes you feel really good when you can provide that comfort for your child and the special time. She added the alone time they get together is nice.
According to a 10-year longitudinal study published by the American Psychological Association, women who breastfeed their kids longer exhibit more maternal sensitivity well past the toddler and infant years.
