Why Breastfeeding is Important 

Breastfeeding provides many health benefits for you and your baby. But it also can be difficult to manage breastfeeding in today's busy world. Learning all you can before you give birth can help. The decision to breastfeed is a personal one.

Breastmilk Provides the Perfect Nutrition for Our Babies!

  • Breastmilk has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein, and minerals needed for a baby's growth and development. As your baby grows, your breastmilk changes to adapt to the baby's changing nutritional needs. 
  • Breastmilk protects against common baby infections.
  • Children who are breastfed have a lower risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
  • Can improve how children think, explore and figure things out. 

Breastmilk is Environment-Friendly 

Breastmilk is a naturally renewable resource that requires no packaging, shipping, or disposal.

Breastfeeding Provides Health Benefits for Mom's as Well

  • Breastfeeding triggers the release of a hormone called oxytocin that causes the uterus to contract. This helps the uterus to return to its normal size more quickly and may decrease the amount of bleeding you have after giving birth. 
  • Breastfeeding burns as many as 500 extra calories each day, which may make it easier to lose the weight you gained during pregnancy.
  • Women who breastfeed have lower rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. 
  • Women who breastfeed longer have lower rates of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. 

Breastfeeding Saves Money

Formula feeding can cost a family $1,500 or more for the baby's first year. Breastfed babies are less likely to need excessive medical attention as they grow resulting in less medical expenses. 

Making healthy food choices—along with regular physical activity—will keep you healthy while you breastfeed. Choose a variety of foods and beverages to build your own healthy eating style. Include foods from all food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein foods.

Try to:

  • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
  • Make at least half your grains whole grains.
  • Move to low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, or cheese.
  • Vary your proteins.

You need more fluids while you are breastfeeding. Be sure to drink enough water to quench your thirst.

Tell your doctor about any supplements you are taking. Ask if you or your baby need a multivitamin or mineral supplement, particularly vitamin D and iron.

It's important to focus on eating healthy, rather than losing baby weight, while you're breastfeeding. Slow weight loss over several months is safest.

Like when you were pregnant, there are things you should limit or avoid while you are breastfeeding to keep your baby happy and healthy.

  • Limit caffeine. Drinking a small amount of coffee (up to 2 cups a day) or other drinks with caffeine is okay while breastfeeding. Too much caffeine can make your baby fussy or keep baby awake.  
  • Avoid alcohol. It's best to avoid alcohol while you are breastfeeding. If you choose to drink, you may have a single alcoholic drink once in a while if your baby's breastfeeding routine is well established-and if your baby is at least 3 months old. Then, wait at least 4 hours after having a drink before breastfeeding.
  • Fish. Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Most seafood contains mercury or other contaminants, however. Exposure to excessive amounts of mercury through breast milk can pose a risk to a baby's developing nervous system. To limit your baby's exposure, avoid seafood that's high in mercury, including swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.