Merry or Meltdown? Holiday Break Tips for Families
DEC 03, 2024Winter break from school can pose challenges for families while parents juggle work, screen time and managing expectations.
Read MoreThere are so many reasons why breastmilk is the optimal feeding choice both for your baby’s health and your own health. In addition to physical health benefits, breastfeeding can also bring the wonderful psychological benefits of bonding between mom and baby. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, with continued breastfeeding after that along with introducing complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or longer.
As a new mom, you want to do what’s best for your baby. In theory, exclusive Breastfeeding is the perfect choice for every mom, however in practice it doesn’t always turn out that way. Not every mom is able to produce sufficient breastmilk, whether it be related to a physiological reason or related to a circumstance in her life. It’s very easy for moms to get discouraged when they can’t exclusively breastfeeding and many women choose to stop breastfeeding completely, seeing breastfeeding as something that is “all or nothing”. I am here to tell you that when it comes to breastfeeding "some is better than none", even if it means deviating from the "perfect" ideal.
As a Certified Nurse Midwife and as an internationally board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) for the last 14 years, I can tell you that while you should strive for exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life, breastfeeding does not have to be all or nothing and there are many benefits to providing your baby with as much breastmilk as you are able to produce. Here are some benefits that even a small amount of breastmilk can provide:
Exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first six months of life is the ideal choice if possible. For mothers facing the choice between "all or nothing," it's essential to remember that "some is better than none" in breastfeeding. It is important to be flexible and adaptable in the journey of motherhood. It is also important to know that perfection isn't required to be a good mom. Often, offering what we can is enough to significantly benefit our families.
Winter break from school can pose challenges for families while parents juggle work, screen time and managing expectations.
Read MorePreterm births are quite common, with about 1 in 10 babies worldwide born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Read MoreBeing diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (GDM) can be a huge source of stress for many pregnant women, as if pregnancy wasn’t stressful enough.
Read MoreWhen you need local health information from a trusted source, turn to the CHI Health Better You eNewsletter.