Education

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Benefits of Breastfeeding

Exclusive Breastfeeding for about six months will promote optimal health benefits for both mother and infant.

The benefits of continued breastfeeding for mothers include:

  • Reduced postpartum bleeding

  • Reduced risk of pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancers

  • Reduced risk of heart disease and osteoporosis

  • Increased bonding with baby

For infants include:

  • Reduced risk of SIDS

  • Fewer ear infections

  • Reduced risk of allergies and asthma

  • Increased protection from Leukemia

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Longevity

Complementary foods should be introduced at around six months in addition to breast milk feeding. Mothers can continue to breastfeed for the first year and beyond as is mutually desirable by mother and child. In addition, mothers can continue to breastfeed if returning to work or school and should receive the support of family, friends, community and employer.

By Global Health Media Project. Download link: http://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/ Within the first few hours after birth, most healthy newborns will instinctively move to their mother's breast and attach on their own. This video shows early breastfeeding initiation through the journeys of 3 newborns and ways to support the practice with mothers and staff.

Early Initiation

Many women have questions about latching their babies onto the breast for the first time. Along with in person education, the PBBC also refers mothers to evidence based websites that show women of color feeding their babies. Global Health Media is our go to site for breastfeeding information.

Getting the Best Latch

Breastfeeding should not hurt!
If you are having nipple pain, we are here to help.
Please don’t suffer in silence.

By Global Health Media Project. Download link: http://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/ Good attachment will help a baby get more milk and make breastfeeding more comfortable. This video shows why good attachment is so important to breastfeeding success and what a mother can do to deeply attach her baby to her breast.
By Global Health Media Project. Download link: http://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/ Expressing breastmilk can relieve breast fullness, soften the breasts, and make it easier for the milk to flow. It is also important to maintain a mother's milk supply during separation and make milk available for someone else to feed the baby.

Hand Expression

The early days and weeks are critical to establishing a strong milk supply. As the mature milk comes in, usually by day 2-3, your breasts may become overfull and latching your baby may be a bit challenging. Hand expression for a few minutes may be just what you need to soften the breast so the baby can latch more deeply.