the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, reduce the risk of Type
2 diabetes in women by 30%, decrease their risk of breast and ovarian
cancer, decrease the risk of osteoporosis, decrease postpartum
depression and help women return to pre-pregnancy weight? In a
large Australian study of child abuse by mothers, it simply didn’t
happen to breastfed children (a later new study did find one, but
she was a mentally ill mother.) This has to do with oxytocin, the
bonding hormone.
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The list for children could go on and on but what about IQ
increases of 5% to 8%, decreased risk of Type 1 and 2 diabetes,
leukemia and lymphoma and decreased likelihood of hospitalization
in the first two years of life from diarrheal and respiratory
illnesses? Breast milk is an immune modulator. We evolved doing
this. Consider the value of enhanced vaccine response and less
cardiovascular disease. Breastfed children have enhanced orofacial
development secondary to the mechanism of suckling. Consider
necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in the neonatal intensive care unit;
breastmilk virtually eliminates NEC.
How can all providers facilitate breastfeeding in the office setting?
Consider the breastfeeding mom in your waiting room. A
discretely placed sign in your waiting room that says you support
breastfeeding and that you’ll room her early so that she can feed
her baby in private. Your staff of childbearing age should know that
you’ll provide a quiet, private place for them to pump and store their
milk and breaks to do so. You will be rewarded by less absenteeism,
and they will appreciate that you care about their and their baby’s
long-term health. Consider that breastfed babies have half as many
ear infections and the above-mentioned fewer hospitalizations. Be
a respectful advocate for babies and women in the hospital setting.
Not everyone can breastfeed for a multitude of reasons: shaming
is never appropriate. Luckily, we have safe formulas to support that
choice, but as “healthy living” authorities we need to “talk the talk
and walk the walk” regarding breastfeeding advocacy.
References: I have been a Lactation Consultant for many years,
and the facts cited here are readily available in the literature. I would
be happy to provide specific references upon request. My email
address is [email protected]. Thank you for listening!
Dr. Cowley is a practicing pediatrician at All Children Pediatrics.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 7