August is National Breastfeeding Month

World Breastfeeding Week — held every year from August 1 to 7 — is also celebrated in more than 120 countries. Both observances are dedicated to advancing advocacy, protection, and promotion of breastfeeding to ensure that all families have the opportunity to reap its benefits. 

Words by Maggie Downs

Breastfeeding — widely praised as one of the most natural and beneficial practices for both infants and parents — offers a wealth of advantages. It delivers optimal nutrition, boosts the immune system, strengthens emotional bonds, and even saves money. (Many of these points also apply to chestfeeding, the gender-neutral term for feeding a baby from a chest or breast, since a diverse range of families engage in this nurturing practice, including transgender or nonbinary parents.)

“When it comes to breastfeeding, some is always better than none,” says Veronica Quiroz, a comprehensive perinatal health worker at DAP Health’s Desert Hot Springs Specialty Care Center. Below, we explore why it’s so important.

Nutritional Benefits

Breast milk is “custom-made for the newborn,” Quiroz says, and it contains the perfect balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals that are easily digestible and optimally absorbed. It also adapts to the changing needs of a growing infant, providing the necessary nutrients to support their development. The early milk, colostrum, is rich in antibodies and acts as a natural vaccine, protecting newborns from infections.

Immunological Advantages

Breastfeeding also transfers antibodies, bolstering the infant’s immune system and providing protection against common illnesses and infections. According to Quiroz, breastfed babies tend to have lower incidences of respiratory infections, ear infections, and gastrointestinal issues. Long-term benefits include a reduced risk of developing chronic conditions such as asthma, allergies, and diabetes.

To reap maximum health benefits, “pediatricians recommend at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding if the mom can,” Quiroz says. “Of course, the longer the baby is breastfed, the better it is. But again, whatever the mom can do is better than none at all.”

Emotional and Economic Benefits

Breastfeeding fosters a unique bond between the parent and child. The physical closeness and skin-to-skin contact promote emotional security and attachment, which are vital for the baby’s psychological development.

What about the parent who is not breastfeeding? Partners can assist with the bottle-feeding of pumped breast milk, help with burping, and provide emotional and practical support to the breastfeeding parent. Some opt to chestfeed by using a supplemental nursing system, which involves attaching a tube to their chest to deliver either their partner's milk, donated milk, or formula.

From an economic perspective, breastfeeding is cost-effective, since it eliminates the need to purchase formula (and potentially eliminates the need for bottles and other feeding supplies). Additionally, breastfeeding can reduce health care costs by lowering the incidence of infant illnesses and the associated medical expenses.

Challenges

New parents may face a variety of challenges when breastfeeding their newborn, including difficulties with latching, sore or cracked nipples, concerns about milk supply, and managing the frequent feeding schedule. They might also experience emotional stress or anxiety about whether their baby is receiving enough nutrition, and external factors such as returning to work.

To help promote lactation, Quiroz recommends herbs like fenugreek, Mother’s Milk tea, and oatmeal, as these have been shown to effectively increase milk supply. For support through other challenges, new parents can contact the La Leche League International, or find assistance through local California Women, Infants, and Children support circles.

Alternatives

While there are a multitude of benefits to breastfeeding, it is essential to recognize that it is not possible or preferable for every parent. Formula is one viable alternative, designed to closely mimic breast milk and provide essential nutrients for growth and development. Parents can also utilize milk banks, which provide donated breast milk that has been screened and pasteurized to ensure its safety.

To pursue one of those options, Quiroz recommends first having a conversation with your pediatrician to determine what’s best for your circumstances.