Every baby deserves a healthy start—and for many families, that journey begins with breastfeeding. Breast milk provides the perfect combination of nutrients to support infant growth while offering powerful health benefits for both mother and baby.

Every Journey is Unique

Breastfeeding isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, every experience is different—and every baby is different, too. Learning to breastfeed takes time. While your baby is figuring out how to latch, suck, and swallow, you’re learning how to position them, respond to hunger cues, and care for your own breast health.

It’s more than feeding—it’s bonding. Breastfeeding offers a deeply personal and emotional connection. While it’s often exclusive to the mother, it’s not a solo act. Breastfeeding parents—whether mothers, partners, or surrogate caregivers—deserve support throughout the journey.

Informed, Empowered Choices

The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. You deserve support and respect, regardless of how you choose to feed your baby. National Breastfeeding Month serves as a powerful reminder to educate ourselves on the benefits, challenges, and realities of breastfeeding, while also uplifting those on the journey.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breast milk is often called “liquid gold”—and for good reason. It offers powerful advantages for both babies and nursing parents.

For Baby

• Perfect Nutrition: It contains the ideal balance of fats, proteins, vitamins, and antibodies your baby needs—no added food or water necessary for the first 6 months.
• Immune Support: Breast milk passes your antibodies to your baby, helping to guard against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, asthma, allergies, and more.
• Tailored to Baby: Your milk changes as your baby grows, adapting to meet evolving nutritional needs.
• Easier Digestion: Breast milk is gentle on newborn tummies and contains natural soothing agents.
• Gut Protection: It lines the baby’s stomach with a protective layer, making it harder for germs to take hold.

For Mom

• Physical Recovery: Nursing helps your uterus return to its standard size and can reduce postpartum bleeding.
• Lower Cancer Risk: Breastfeeding has been linked to a reduced risk of breast and uterine cancers.
• Hormonal Boost: The release of prolactin and oxytocin during breastfeeding fosters calmness, connection, and maternal bonding.
• Weight Loss & Cycle Delay: It may help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight and delay menstruation for several months.
• Long-Term Benefits: Many mothers find breastfeeding so rewarding that they continue with subsequent children.

Major health organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and ACOG, strongly recommend breastfeeding due to its numerous benefits for both mother and baby.

While breastfeeding has many benefits, it can also come with challenges, like latching difficulties, low milk supply, or pain during nursing. These experiences are more common than you might think. You are not alone, and support is available.

Balancing Breastfeeding and Work

Returning to work doesn’t have to mean the end of breastfeeding. Many parents continue their breastfeeding journey through pumping. Discuss with your employer a private, clean space and adequate break time—these are your rights under federal law. Planning with your pediatrician or lactation consultant can help you build a freezer stash and feel confident in your return.

Quick Tips for New Nursing Parents

• Nurse on demand to encourage supply.
• Look for 6–8 wet diapers a day to confirm your baby is getting enough.
• Stay hydrated—you’re fueling another human!
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help if nursing hurts.

You’ve Got This—And We’re Here to Help

At Community Care, many of our pediatric practices include nurses with specialized training in breastfeeding support. These professionals can help guide you through challenges, answer your questions, and empower your feeding choices with compassion and care.

Whether you’re currently breastfeeding, planning to, or navigating the challenges, you deserve support, respect, and resources. If you have questions or need guidance, contact your pediatrician’s office—we’re here to help you and your baby thrive.

Please note, not all Community Care practices have lactation-trained nurses. For more information or to ask about breastfeeding support, contact your child’s pediatrician’s office directly.

Source
clevelandclinic.org
womenshealth.gov
healthychildren.org
cdc.gov