Breastfeeding is the best way to give newborns all the nutrients they need. Doctors recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months, but as societal factors change, breastfeeding has become increasingly difficult. Nonetheless, any amount of breastfeeding is beneficial and promotes your baby’s healthy development.
Pediatric Partners of Augusta wants to ensure that you and your baby get the most out of breastfeeding. If you have questions or want breastfeeding guidance, contact your pediatrician or schedule an appointment with Bella Bambino, our newborn care center.
Baby Benefits
One of the most significant benefits of breastfeeding is that your body provides the best nutrients to support your baby’s development. Babies can better absorb breastmilk than formula, which can change the bacterial makeup of their digestive system.
Breastmilk also naturally adjusts its amount and composition to tailor to your baby’s specific needs. Breastfeeding promotes the healthy growth of your baby and is readily available at almost any time.
The nutrients of breastmilk provide preventative measures to help protect your baby against many infections and diseases. Breastmilk lowers the risk of your baby developing asthma and allergies and suffering sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Mother Benefits
Oxytocin, the same hormone that helps you deliver your baby, is produced during breastfeeding. Studies also have found that breastfeeding reduces the risk of postpartum depression because oxytocin stimulates feelings of peace and relaxation. It also increases pain thresholds and stimulates various types of positive social interaction while promoting growth and healing.
Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of later developing breast and ovarian cancers, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
Just as important, breastfeeding assists in creating a strong emotional bond between you and your baby. It promotes skin-to-skin contact and helps shape early social behaviors. The oxytocin released in your body also is released in your baby’s brain, which comforts your newborn.
Pediatric Partners has three locations to better serve our patients. The Evans office is at 411 Town Park Blvd.; the downtown Augusta office is at 1303 D’Antignac St., Suite 2600; and the new Grovetown office is at 5135 Wrightsboro Road. For more information about Pediatric Partners, call the office at 706-854-2500, visit PedPartners.com, or follow the Pediatric Partners of Augusta Facebook and Instagram pages.
Bella Bambino is our newborn care center dedicated to providing support and education in a nurturing environment to mothers and their newborns as they navigate their first few weeks together. Located at 411 Town Park Blvd., Bella Bambino can be reached at 706-922-0760.