What you need to know about breastfeeding

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and as a Baby Friendly Hospital, Saint Agnes is spreading awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding.

Deciding to breastfeed is an important choice that can provide benefits for both you and baby within the first few hours.

“Breastmilk provides the baby with the first milk which is called colostrum and colostrum is fed to the baby to help boost baby’s immunities, to help stabilize blood sugar, to help keep the baby warm,” says Saint Agnes Lactation Consultant Cathy Seeto.

For babies, breastfeeding can help reduce risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); moms can experience a reduced risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer and other diseases.

Knowing the benefits are important but parents should also understand some of the basics when it comes to breastfeeding:

Dietary needs while breastfeeding

Breastfeeding provides baby with all the nutrients they need to thrive—that’s why it’s important for mothers to take care of themselves. Meeting personal nutritional needs is a key first step in managing your health. “In general, a mama should eat a well-balanced diet [and] remember to encourage a lot of protein intake for a good milk supply,” says Seeto.

The CDC recommends that mothers who are breastfeeding need about 340-400 calories more than they did pre-pregnancy to stay well nourished.

How long should you breastfeed?

It’s recommended that first-time moms breastfeed at least six months. “That is the [American Academy of Pediatrics'] recommendation,” says Seeto. “Then typically around six months, mamas can start incorporating solid foods for baby.”

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding anywhere from one to two years, as long as the mom desires.

Saint Agnes supports mom that are breastfeeding

As a Baby-Friendly Hospital in Fresno County, and one of only 95 sites with that designation in California, Saint Agnes has on-staff board-certified lactation consultants who support all mothers by assuring they have the information needed to make an informed choice about how you feed your baby. If you do choose to breastfeed, our staff will be there to answer any questions and address concerns, every step of the way.

Saint Agnes Breastfeeding Support

For all of our soon-to-be mommies, we are here to help every step of the way. Learn more about maternity care at Saint Agnes, including breastfeeding support.

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