What You Need To Know About Breastfeeding

Newsweek reports that breastfeeding is invaluable, providing infants important immunoglobulins, a natural defense against communicable disease. At White Oak Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC, our five pediatricians and their staff encourage moms to continue nursing through the age of six months and beyond. Here's what you should know about nursing your newborn so you feel confident and your baby content and thriving.

Nutrition and overall health

Breast milk provides your baby nutrition practically perfect for his or her developing brain and body. It simplifies newborn digestion and, according to the US office for Women's health, protects against a myriad of health problems, including:

• Communicable diseases, such as the common cold and flu
• Allergies and eczema
• Ear infections
• GI problems, such as diarrhea
• Childhood obesity

Additionally, as mom produces a milk supply and feeds her baby, her uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size, and she sheds excess "baby weight" more easily and quickly. Even emotional and mental health improves as nursing moms experience less postpartum depression.

Bonding

Healthline cites research which indicates that both pre-term and full-term infants experience less learning and behavioral problems when they are breastfed. Scientists attribute this developmental boost to the increased touch and face-to-face contact between mom and baby on a consistent basis.

Nursing can be easier

Breastfeeding frees parents from the financial expense of formula. Milk supply is continuous and always available. There's no need to run to the store, track how much the baby consumes each day, or warm bottles when you're on the go.

Other important information

At White Oak Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC, our pediatricians advocate breastfeeding. However, they understand that many parents have many questions or concerns about how to successfully breastfeed, how to overcome problems with latching on or continuing to nurse when returning to work or other commitments outside the home.

We're here for you

At White Oak Pediatrics, we wish you the best as you embark on breastfeeding your baby. We have a nurse triage phone line to answer your questions, educational resources on nursing, and of course, the care and wisdom of our experienced pediatricians and their team.

Call White Oak Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC with any questions or concerns you may have in at (919) 787-0266.