Los beneficios de la lactancia materna
The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first six months of life and continuing for up to two years old or longer with nutritious solid foods.
Research shows that breastfeeding contains natural antibodies that protect children against infections, allergies and a number of chronic illnesses. It is particularly beneficial for premature babies. Breastfeeding helps boost a mother's immune system which can decrease the risk of developing certain life-threatening diseases.
Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for both mother and child as it not only creates a special bonding, but it also provides the ideal nourishment for the baby’s growing needs.
Health Benefits of Breastfeeding
During pregnancy and the first few days after a baby's birth, a mother's body will produce a nutrient-rich pre-milk called colostrum. It may be thick and yellowish or thin and watery. The colostrum aids in the growth and development of the newborn's digestive system. It also helps boost a baby's immune system and help fight infection.
Here are the other benefits of breastfeeding and what you need to know to get started:
Benefits for Babies
Breastmilk contains hormones and germ-fighting nutrients that a mother passes to her baby that strengthens the immune system. Therefore, breastfed babies generally have fewer infections and hospitalizations compared to formula-fed babies. Research shows that breastfed babies have lower risks of developing the following conditions:
- Asthma
- Leukemia (during childhood)
- Obesity (during childhood)
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Type 1 diabetes
- Severe lower respiratory infections
- Acute otitis media (ear infections)
- Sudden infant death syndrome
- Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting)
- Necrotizing enterocolitis – a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract in preterm infants
Benefits for Mothers
Breastfeeding burns calories and helps shrink the uterus, so nursing moms may be able to return to their pre-pregnancy shape and weight quicker. Studies also show that breastfeeding helps lower a mother's risk of developing the following conditions:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Breast cancer
- Postpartum depression
La lactancia materna quema calorías y ayuda a reducir el tamaño del útero, por lo que las madres lactantes pueden volver a su forma y peso anteriores al embarazo más rápido. Los estudios también muestran que la lactancia materna ayuda a reducir el riesgo de una madre de desarrollar las siguientes afecciones:
- Presión arterial alta
- Enfermedad cardiovascular
- Diabetes tipo 2
- Cáncer de ovario
- Cáncer de útero
- Cáncer de mama
- Depresión posparto
Hay casos raros en los que no se recomienda la leche materna o la lactancia materna. Algunas afecciones médicas pueden ser inseguras para los bebés, como las que implican quimioterapia o ciertos medicamentos. Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades no recomiendan amamantar o alimentar a los bebés con leche materna extraída (leche producida al exprimir la leche de su seno para almacenarla y usarla posteriormente) en las siguientes situaciones:
- Bebés diagnosticados con galactosemia clásica, un trastorno metabólico genético raro que afecta la forma en que el cuerpo procesa un azúcar simple llamado galactosa
- Madres infectadas con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)
- Madres infectadas con el virus linfotrópico de células T humanas tipo I o II
- Madres que consumen drogas ilícitas, como fenciclidina (PCP) o cocaína
- Madres sospechosas o infectadas con la enfermedad por el virus del Ébola
Elegir si amamantar o alimentar con fórmula es una de las decisiones más importantes que tendrán que tomar la mayoría de las mujeres embarazadas y los nuevos padres. Aunque la leche materna es la mejor opción nutricional para los bebés, la lactancia materna puede ser demasiado difícil o estresante para algunas mujeres. Para las madres que no pueden amamantar, la fórmula infantil es una alternativa saludable.
Sin embargo, los sustitutos de la leche materna como la fórmula son más difíciles de digerir para los bebés, especialmente los bebés nacidos antes de las 37 semanas de embarazo. Esto se debe a que la fórmula está hecha de leche de vaca y los estómagos de los bebés tardan en adaptarse. La fórmula y los suministros de alimentación pueden costar más de $1,500 durante el primer año de vida de un bebé. Soya y las fórmulas especiales hipoalergénicas a veces cuestan más que las fórmulas básicas.
Un consultor de lactancia es un profesional especialmente capacitado para brindar apoyo general a la lactancia materna prenatal y posparto bajo la supervisión de un médico. A través de la educación y el manejo, ayudan a las madres a abordar los muchos desafíos que conlleva la lactancia materna y la lactancia, como el dolor en los pezones y la baja producción de leche.
Es importante que las madres y los padres hablen con su médico o consultor de lactancia para ayudarlos a sopesar sus opciones y ayudarlos a tomar la mejor decisión para su bebé y su familia.
Breastfeeding Support and Lactation Services
Every story has a beginning.
When you give birth at Baptist Health System, our team of professionals at each of our locations wants you to have an amazing experience to make your new beginning a happy one. Everything you need for the arrival of your little bundle of joy is right here, including a Level IV NICU care for high-risk pregnancies.
At Baptist Health System’s The Nest, you’ll find a comprehensive women’s health program that offers complete and personalized outpatient and inpatient obstetric care. We focus on providing moms, their babies and their families a comfortable and joyful experience before, during and after their big day.
We are dedicated to providing the best compassionate and personalized care possible beyond your pregnancy. That's why all Baptist facilities have certified lactation consultants on staff to help you navigate your breastfeeding journey.
You'll find a warm, comfortable and supportive environment at the Mother's Milk Lactation Center at North Central Baptist Hospital in Stone Oak. This is a special place where families can discuss their breastfeeding goals and concerns with trained lactation consultants. So whether you decide to breastfeed or you're still deciding, our outpatient lactation center is fully equipped with everything you need to support your choice to provide the best for your baby.
Our Mother's Milk First Lactation Center offers the following services:
- Lactation consultations (by appointment only)
- Weight checks
- Bra fittings
- Telephone assistance
- Mother's milk bank collection site – milk banks serve as a repository of milk collected from donors. These facilities also process, screen, store and distribute donated milk to serve healthy infants who are not able to get their own mother’s milk.
Our compassionate care doesn’t end with delivery. Baptist Health System is committed to guiding you through your journey as you transition into parenthood. Come visit our facility and meet our dedicated staff, so you know what to expect on your big day.
Learn more about our obstetric services here or call 866-309-2873.