Why Breastfeed?

During a pregnancy, mothers and fathers are presented with the question "What method of feeding are you choosing for your baby?" We at the Wareham Nurse Midwives' practice respect the decision of our parents, however, we encourage our clients to choose breastfeeding.

The choice of breastfeeding is beneficial for both the mother and baby. It is also the choice and recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics due to the tremendous health benefits that breastfeeding provides for the baby.

The advantages for your baby include,
but are not limited to:
*Breastmilk is more easily digestible
*A decrease in the number of food allergies
*A decrease in the occurrence of ear infections
*Higher IQ scores
*Protection from diarrhea which can lead to dehydration
*Protection from constipation
*A decrease in the incidence of adult onset insulin
dependent Diabetes Mellitus

The advantages for the mother include,
but are not limited to:
*Steady weight loss as your body uses calories to produce breastmilk
*More rapid return of the uterus to prepregnant size which decreases blood loss postpartum
*Reduces the risk of premenopausal breast cancer

During your pregnancy, you may hear many myths regarding breastfeeding. We at the Wareham Nurse Midwives' practice, will support your decision to breastfeed and provide information to dispel those myths. We will provide you with a "Getting Started with Breastfeeding" class during your pregnancy, a hospital visit by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, telephone support after you have brought your newborn home, and a home visit if you were to need extra help.

The supportive and knowledgable office staff will direct your needs to either Louise Racine Bastarache CNM, the nurse-midwife, or Julie Grady, RN, BSN, IBCLC. Julie is an international board certified lactation consultant, the mother of two young and healthy boys (breastfed of course!), and has been working with families since 1996 as a maternity and pediatric nurse. Her credentials as IBCLC means that she has meet the eligibility requirements, possesses the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to facilitate breastfeeding and has been certified by passing an independent examination. With a focus on preventative healthcare, the certified lactation consultants encourage self-care and parental decision-making in the postpartum breastfeeding mother and family. Using a problem solving approach, Julie will provide appropriate research based information and recommendations to our clients.

Simplicity is the art of breastfeeding. We at the Wareham Nurse Midwives' practice will promote and support you through the occasional stumbling blocks in the early days of breastfeeding your baby. You will experience the joy breastfeeding becomes
......the tranquility you never thought you would know at 2AM with a newborn.

Click below to read this great article:
101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child

For more information, please call or
email us at info@warehamnursemidwives.com