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How Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers
Short-term Benefits
• When one breastfeeds, the uterus responds and contracts
which contributes to a reduced loss of blood and
a more prompt return to the pre-pregnancy state
• Women who breastfeed lose the additional weight
they gain during pregnancy more quickly
• Breastfeeding mothers are also at lower risk for postpartum
obesity than women who bottle feed
Long-range Benefits
• Women who breastfeed have a decreased incidence
of osteoporosis, breast cancer, and ovarian
cancer
• Many women describe a tremendous feeling of
well-being while they are breastfeeding
• Women with diabetes are often in much better control
of their disease during the period of lactation
the birth center or the delivery
room will help mother position
herself and the baby so the
feeding will go smoothly. Actually,
babies placed on mother’s
abdomen and left to their own
resources will find their way to
the breast and latch on if not
interfered with.
Babies are born to breastfeed.
Following this initial
experience at the time of delivery,
mothers should be ready
to breastfeed the infant whenever
the infant demonstrates
interest in feeding. Interest in
feeding is manifested by the
baby bringing his own hands
to his mouth or getting more
active and rooting around.
Crying is a late sign of hunger.
Babies latch on and feed much
more effectively if they are fed
before they get frantic. While
in the hospital, ask for help. It
should not hurt to breastfeed.
If it does hurt, it’s because the
baby has not latched on correctly
so ask for help in getting
the baby adjusted comfortably.
When discharged from the
hospital, plans for follow-up
should be made with the
pediatrician and the lactation
support person in the pediatrician’s
office. They will want to
see the baby within a few days
and see how things are going.
Knowing How
Much is Enough
Some mothers are uncomfortable
not knowing exactly how
much milk the baby received
when breastfeeding. The way
to tell how much the baby
receives is listening for the
swallowing sounds and seeing a
little milk drip from the breast
during a feeding. In addition,
the baby’s weight and output
should be monitored. A wellfed,
breastfed baby in the first
month of life should have at
least three seedy yellow stools
per day. The baby also should
wet at least six or seven diapers
a day. With disposal diapers,
it is often hard to be sure they
have wet, although the weight
of the diaper will change.
Breastfeeding is a wonderful
opportunity to provide a
lifetime of good health and the
most precious gift a mother
can give her infant. If there is
illness, it may be a life-saving
gift, and, if there is poverty, it
may be the only gift.
Dr. Ruth Lawrence is the Medical Director
of the Breastfeeding and Human
Lactation Study Center and a Professor
of Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology
at Golisano’s Children’s Hospital at
Strong in Rochester.
Rochester Baby Guide • Winter 2013 27