Breastfeeding

Surprise!

This is what breasts are for!

Human babies need human milk. Nothing else - no formula - can duplicate the benefits of human breast milk. Breast milk contains beneficial substances that cannot be reproduced in formula, such as antibodies which protect your baby from some infections. In addition to many other benefits, exclusive breastfeeding can help protect your baby from:

• Infections (viral, bacterial, diarrhea, ear infections, etc)

• SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

• some cancers

• Type I diabetes

• Obesity

• Dental cavities

Breastfeeding is also good from mothers. It helps protect against postpartum complications and future health problem, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and heart disease. Breastfeeding also helps women loose weight after their pregnancy!

Almost every woman can breastfeed. The size of your breasts have nothing to do with milk production or ability nurse. Even women who adopt have been able to successfully lactate! If you have flat or inverted nipples you should talk to your midwife, lactation consultant, La Leche League leader, or physician. She can help you prepare your nipples for breastfeeding during pregnancy, or help with solutions after your birth.

Working mothers can and do successfully breastfeed. Nursing while at home is combined with feeding your baby breastmilk that has been pumped and stored while at work. Enlightened employers work with nursing moms and provide a clean private space for pumping and refrigeration for storing your milk. They know that breastfeeding mothers take less time off of work since their babies are healthier and less prone to infections.

And it's so much easier than washing baby bottles and mixing formula - an MUCH cheaper!

For more complete information on how breastfeeding benefits both you and your baby read    The Breastfeeding Fact Sheet

What does the American Academy of Pediatrics have to say about breastfeeding?

• The healthy newborn should be handed to its mother immediately after birth with direct skin-to-skin contact until after the first feeding is accomplished.

• Procedures which discourage breastfeeding should be avoided or postponed.

• Breastfeeding should begin in the first hour after birth.

• Exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life.

Read the AAP revised position paper on

Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk

Epidurals and Breastfeeding

IMMUNIZATIONS

Parents' Guide to Childhood Immunizations

General Recommendations on Immunization from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Update: Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Regarding Administration of Combination MMRV Vaccine

ACIP Provisional Recommendations for Prevention of Varicella

Thimerosal in Vaccines (FDA)

Mercury and Vaccines (Thimerosal) (CDC)

Comparison of Schedules and Autism Rates

A comparison between 1983 immunization schedules with rate of autism and the 2008 immunization schedules with current autism rate. From Generation Rescue.

The Vaccine-Autism Court Document Every American Should Read

WARNING: Rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq)

FDA Public Health Notification

Information on RotaTeq and Intussusception

February 13, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying health care providers and consumers about 28 post-marketing reports of intussusception following administration of Rotavirus, Live, Oral, Pentavalent vaccine (trade name RotaTeq), manufactured by Merck and Co., Inc. Intussusception is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the intestine gets blocked or twisted. One portion of the intestine telescopes into a nearby portion, causing the intestinal obstruction. The most common site is where the small intestine joins the large intestine. For more information contact FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at 1-800-835-4709

Claudine Crews LM, CPM  

Licensed and Certified Professional Midwife  

Home Birth Specialist