Get Healthy Carson City: Breastfeeding impacts baby’s health

Breastfeeding is the natural way to nourish a baby, but that does not mean it comes easy. Most women have challenges with breastfeeding and wonder if they are making enough breast milk. This can be difficult because women do not visually see how much milk the baby is drinking, thus, it is difficult to figure out if enough milk is being produced. It is estimated that 5 percent of women are physically unable to produce enough breastmilk to feed their babies and less than 5 percent of women experience lactation failure. With that said, most new mothers do make enough milk for their baby, and this should not be a major concern with breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is best for the baby and the mother, it is a great source of nutrition, with the perfect combination of protein, fat, and carbohydrates the baby needs to grow. Yes, breastmilk has the perfect macronutrients for the baby to grow, but it also has millions of live cells that include immune boosting white blood cells, stem cells, and bacteria to help aid in organ development. Breastmilk also includes growth factors, vitamins and minerals, antibodies, long chain fatty acids, oligosaccharides, and amino acid, which are all important factors in your baby’s development.

All mothers want to make sure their babies are the healthiest they can be, but most mothers do not realize that a crucial decision, such as breastfeeding, can affect their baby both now and for the rest of their lives. Breastfed babies usually live a healthier life with less incidence of chronic illnesses, food allergies, asthma, eczema, Type I and Type II diabetes, and much more that could lead to hospitalization and other health complications.

Why breastfeeding helps your babies gut microbiome and immune system:

• Breastfed babies have a higher level of beneficial gut bacteria and healthier growth patterns than babies who are not breastfed

• Breastfed babies have a lower rate of wheezing, which is one of the most common reasons infants are hospitalized or receive medical care

• Breastfed babies have a lower risk of developing asthma, because of their strong gut microbiota. Whereas formula fed babies have a weaker gut, which can cause gut dysbacteriosis that results in a chronic inflammatory respiratory disorder, such as asthma

• Breastmilk is unique to each mom and baby to benefit their individual needs

• Breastmilk is concentrated with bacteria that colonize the infants gut helping to set the course for the baby’s growing immune system and metabolism

• Babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months without any formula, have fewer ear infection and respiratory illnesses

To get more information on breastfeeding, you may contact your local WIC agency:

Carson City Health and Human Services WIC

900 E. Long St.

775-887-2190

Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.

Douglas County WIC clinic

1524 Highway 395 North

775-283-4772

Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.

For additional resources and information about Carson City Health and Human Services programs and services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cchhs, follow us on Twitter @CCHealthEd, call us at 775-887-2190, or visit us at 900 E. Long St., in Carson City.