In recent years, extensive research has swayed many parents to breast-feed their children. Studies show that there is nothing better to feed babies exclusively during their first six months of development. Benefits for both mother and baby are numerous and include improved health, better nutrition, strengthened emotional relationships and positive economics including eliminating the cost of formula and decreased health care costs.
As an expectant mother looks forward to the birth of her baby, she should investigate some important issues in order to find the support she needs to breast-feed successfully during that first year.
• Choose an obstetrician and pediatrician who encourage breast-feeding. They do not need to be experts in the topic but should know where to refer mother and baby for help if needed.
• Choose to deliver at a hospital that has earned the Baby Friendly Hospital Designation. These hospitals have provided advanced education to the physicians and nurses who work with mothers and babies. They have put the most current practices into place to care for the new families that deliver at their facilities and have taken other steps to support successful breast-feeding. There are six Baby Friendly Hospitals in Orange County, with many more working toward this important designation. For more information, go to babyfriendlyusa.org
• If you are employed, talk to your employer while you are pregnant about the support for breast-feeding the business can provide when you return to work. California laws require many businesses to accommodate breast-feeding women. For more information, check cdph.ca.gov
• Once you have delivered your baby, take advantage of the breast-feeding support available throughout your community. Refer to the information provided by the hospital where you delivered, WIC or the Orange County Breastfeeding Resource Guide at ocbreastfeedingcoalition.org.
Fran Buche is the president of the Orange County Breastfeeding Coalition, a nonprofit with a mission to make breast-feeding the “cultural norm.”
