Breastfeeding Helps Mothers and Children

There’s nothing like breastfeeding to put kids on the path to good health. Breastfeeding has multiple benefits for babies, including lower risk for ear and respiratory infections, allergic skin disorders, intestinal infections, type 2 diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends breastfeeding for six months. At six months of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends adding solid foods and continuing with breastfeeding until baby is at least one year old. Breastfeeding can continue as long as both the mother and baby wish.

The benefits of breastfeeding extend beyond the time of infancy.

Research shows that children who were breastfed are less likely to be overweight adolescents than children who were formula-fed as infants. And the longer a baby is breastfed, the odds of being an overweight child decrease even more.

Mom wins, too

Benefits for breastfeeding moms include decreased risk for breast and ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding can also help you lose the pounds you put on during pregnancy.

Classes to help you succeed

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center offers a variety of classes to help expectant parents prepare to welcome a new baby into the family, including a class focused on breastfeeding. To find out more about this and other helpful classes, call 865-673-FORT (3678).

Upcoming breastfeeding classes

August 16
September 13
October 18
November 15
December 13