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| Courtney Legum-Wenk, DO Commonwealth Ob/Gyn Specialists Henrico Doctors' Hospital |
In honor of World
Breastfeeding Week 2014, it seems appropriate to discuss this very charged and
often misunderstood topic in the world of women’s and infant health.
Historically, breastfeeding has been the standard way to provide infant
nutrition, and although there was a gap in the mid-20th century in
breastfeeding rates, it has resurged as a dominant first choice for feeding by
most families. Extensive information is available regarding breastfeeding from
your OB/GYN, your pediatrician, and trusted official resources, but much
misinformation also abounds. I’d like to take this opportunity to answer some
of the most frequently asked questions about breastfeeding, and encourage you
to talk to your healthcare provider in detail about anything not covered here.
What are the specific health benefits of breastfeeding
for my baby?
The American Academy of
Family Physicians recommends six months of exclusive breastfeeding for infants.
Breastfeeding provides vital nutrients to your infant that change and develop
as he or she gets older. Studies show that infants who are breastfed have less
frequent instances of otitis media (ear infections), gastroenteritis, atopic
dermatitis (eczema), lower respiratory infections, and SIDS. There are also
links to obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and asthma for children who were
not breastfed in infancy.
Are there additional health benefits for the mother
when exclusively breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is associated
with reduced instances of postpartum depression, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer
and ovarian cancer for mothers. Many women have always heard that the “weight
will fall off” during the postpartum period for those who are breastfeeding,
but that link is unfortunately minor when compared with other factors.
Breastfeeding can be one of the most unheralded difficult parts of the
transition in becoming a new parent, but you will find that through all of the
challenges, this is one of the best ways to bond with your new baby. This sense
of accomplishment, both in providing exclusive nutrition for your child, and
for persevering through the challenges posed by breastfeeding, is immensely
beneficial to both mental and physical health.
Are there any dietary restrictions for breastfeeding
mothers?
Many restrictions that
existed during pregnancy still exist, to some degree, when breastfeeding. A
good rule of thumb about alcohol consumption when breastfeeding is that if
you’re sober enough to drive, then you can breastfeed. Alcohol affects infants
in a magnified way because of their underdeveloped liver function, so
consumption should always be monitored with care. Caffeine intake is another
common concern, although most mothers can have it in moderation. Some infants
are more sensitive than others to a mother’s caffeine intake, particularly if
the mother avoided caffeine entirely during pregnancy. Cigarette smoking is
universally unhealthy for both mothers and infants, and should be avoided.
Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke have higher incidences of respiratory
distress, ear infections, eye irritation, croup, colic, and SIDS.
What if I have trouble breastfeeding, or am not able to
produce enough milk?
Although most
breastfeeding-related problems can be corrected by addressing a few simple
procedural issues, a small subset of the population can experience Primary
Lactation Failure (PLF), a condition occurring when the mother’s body fails to
produce enough milk to supply her infant’s nutritional needs. PLF can be due to
various factors, notably previous thoracic or breast surgery severing vital
nerves or ducts, hormonal imbalances, and/or insufficient glandular tissue
(IGT), which can also be referred to as Hypoplasia or Tubular Breast Syndrome.
Many options exist for proper infant nutrition outside of breast milk,
including many different types of formula. Your pediatrician can best guide you
on which type of formula will work best for your infant, and can help you
adjust if you experience issues transitioning.
What are some resources online where I can find more
information?
The best medical resources
for individual research are the American Academy of Family Physicians (aafp.org) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (acog.org). La Leche League International (llli.org), KellyMom (kellymom.com),
and BabyCenter (babycenter.com)
are also excellent online resources.
For further inquiries about breastfeeding, pregnancy,
obstetrics, or general gynecology, contact Dr. Courtney Legum-Wenk of
Commonwealth Ob/Gyn Specialists at 804.285.8806 or commonwealth-obgyn.com. For more information about Henrico Doctors' Hospital, visit hcavirginia.com.
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