BREASTFEEDING: AN IMPORTANT DECISION TO MAKE

An important decision to make during your pregnancy, and for your future parenting journey, is how you will feed your baby. To provide the best benefits to mother and baby, we highly recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months after birth. Breast milk is the best for your baby and contains vitamins and nutrients your baby needs and has disease-fighting substances to protect your baby from many illnesses.

Here are just a few more benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby:

BENEFITS FOR BABY

• Baby receives skin to skin, eye and voice contact
• Breastmilk contains antibodies that protect against infection. It has also been shown to protect babies from many dangers such as influenza, meningitis, celiac disease, and salmonella.
• Easily digested
• Fewer respiratory infections
• Less gastrointestinal disturbances. Breast milk has living growth factors that stimulate the lining of the baby’s gut to mature and encourages the growth of good bacteria in the baby’s gut, which keeps a baby healthier.
• Less allergies
• May have protective effect against SIDS
• Perfectly matched nutrition
• Reduced ear infections
• Stimulates senses of taste and smell

BENEFITS FOR MOTHERS

• Convenient and economical
• Free and greatly lowers grocery bills
• Helpful with weight loss because breastfeeding burns calories
• Helps the uterus return to its normal size, faster
• Protective against breast, uterine, endometrial, and ovarian cancer later in life
• May reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis

BENEFITS FOR BOTH BABY AND MOTHER

• A beautiful way to bond with your baby, contributing to a special and loving relationship
• Families can get on the move easily. Breastmilk is always available fresh when you are there!
• Healthy for the environment—no waste or packaging required

Exclusive breastfeeding is when you feed your baby only breastmilk. UNICEF, World Health Organization, and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of a baby’s life. This is based on scientific evidence that shows benefits for infant survival and proper growth and development. Breastmilk provides all the nutrients needed during the first six months of life. Exclusive breastfeeding may also reduce infant deaths caused by common childhood illnesses, such as diarrhea and pneumonia, and helps recovery during illness.

CONTACT A BINGHAM MEMORIAL LACTATION CONSULTANT

To learn more about the lactation services provided by Bingham Memorial Hospital contact a lactation specialist at (208) 782-3901 or [email protected]

ADDITIONAL BIRTHING SERVICES AT BINGHAM MEMORIAL

At Bingham Memorial, we are extremely proud of our birthing center and take great pride in caring for expectant and newborn mothers. In 2017, we received the prestigious international recognition as an official Baby-Friendly Designated birthing facility by Baby-Friendly USA.

The Baby-Friendly Hospital is a global program and effort launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The program is dedicated to encouraging and recognizing hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care, as BMH does. They have been awarded this designation for successfully implementing the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes.