August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and Arkansas health officials are explaining why this is such an important time for both mothers and babies.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time when mothers, health officials and advocates around the world share the holistic benefits of breast milk and how it aids in a child's development.
In the Natural State, many health officials, including UAMS neonatologist Dr. Misty Virmani, have dedicated their lives to emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding and how it impacts not only the child but also the mother.
“It helps reduce the incidence of problems like necrotizing enterocolitis. It reduces the risk of healthy babies developing severe allergies, asthma and hospitalization at home,” Dr. Virmani said. “It also improves neurodevelopmental outcomes and reduces the risk of developing other complications of the immune system, like Crohn's disease and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.”
Not only does breastfeeding help limit the number of serious illnesses a newborn baby can develop, it can also reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by about half.
When it comes to the mother's health, medical professionals report that breastfeeding has positive effects on both mental and physical health.
“Breastfeeding also helps reduce the risk of developing breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, so it has enormous benefits for the mother's health as well as the baby's health,” Dr Virmani explained.
While breastfeeding has many benefits, doctors say it requires patience and can come with many challenges, including clogged or blocked milk ducts, breast engorgement and even mastitis.
Here's a complete list of what CDC officials cite as contributing factors to shorter breastfeeding duration:
Problems with feeding and latching Concerns about infant nutrition and weight Maternal concerns about taking medications while breastfeeding Unsupportive work policies and lack of parental leave Cultural norms and lack of family support Unsupportive hospital practices and policies
Mothers have to navigate the many changes that occur in their bodies while breastfeeding, while also getting used to everyday routines, like returning to work.
While many companies follow state regulations that require them to accommodate nursing mothers, some do not.
Alison Clarke shared her own story of how a traumatic event at work led to a range of problems including low milk supply, blocked milk ducts and uncomfortable pain – a very common story among mums returning to work after giving birth.
“I taught in two buildings, so while I was in the other building, they asked me to pump in the bathroom because they didn't have a space for me,” Clark said. “It was just like a private room. It just had a toilet and a sink.”
Ms Clark said it took her a while to recover emotionally from such a traumatic incident, but the support and comfort that she was not alone kept her going.
“You're not alone, and it's not a problem. You're just trying to do the most natural thing you can do, which is to feed your baby. There's nothing wrong with needing support to do that, and it's necessary because it's a big learning curve,” she explained.
Here's a full list of important dates to know, according to Johns Hopkins University health officials:
Health officials suggest that if you or someone you know needs help with breastfeeding, talking to a lactation expert or breastfeeding support group can help you overcome any issues.
You can also contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline at 800-994-9662.
