By Carol A. Cates, MSN, MBA, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Odessa Regional Medical Center
A couple of months ago, I was walking through the Las Vegas airport and as I was headed towards my gate, I saw a structure that looked like a tiny airstream trailer tucked into a corner. It immediately piqued my curiosity, and so I walked over to take a closer look.
That tiny airstream was a “breastfeeding pod.” A space specifically designed for mom’s and babies to have a tiny bit of privacy and quiet to breastfeed in a crowded public building. I knew it was vacant because it had an occupied/unoccupied notice on the door like you find in many restrooms, so I opened the door to peek. I was really impressed with the set up.
In that little space was an open floor big enough to park a stroller and a bag or two, a small sofa and a comfy looking lounge chair, an audio system that played music and had relaxing sounds like rainfall and white noise. It even had wipes and hand sanitizer, so the person using the space could make sure it was clean.
This is an idea I really hope to see more often, because the easier we we make it for moms to breastfeed, the better off our moms and kids will be long into the future. August is national breastfeeding month, and the first week of August is worldwide breastfeeding week. The goal of both of those events is to remind people that breastfeeding is always the best choice for baby.
The data on the superiority of breast milk over formula is overwhelming. Breastfed babies have stronger immune systems, they have fewer digestive problems as infants, including diarrhea, constipation gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and pre-term necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Breastfed babies get immune products from their mothers, so they have fewer colds, respiratory illnesses, and ear infections. Breastfed babies have a lower risk for meningitis, a serious infection in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Breastfed babies have better vision and a lower risk for preterm retinopathy. The have a lower rate of infant mortality, lower rates of sudden infant death syndrome, and less illness and fewer hospitalizations overall. Those are the immediate protections.
Research is showing that breastfed babies have benefits long after they are weaned. Breastfed babies have fewer allergies, skin conditions like eczema, and asthma. Breastfed babies have fewer childhood cancers. They have a lower risk for diabetes, they have a lower risk for life long gastrointestinal issues like Crohn’s disease and colitis. They continue to have fewer respiratory illnesses. Breast fed babies have fewer speech and orthodontic problems, they have fewer cavities, they are less likely to become obese as a child or teen. Their brains show improved maturation, and they have stronger immune systems. The benefits even go on to adulthood. Breastfed babies as adults have a lower risk for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, they are less likely to develop heart disease, they have lower rates of multiple sclerosis, and they have lower rates of breast cancer.
Moms benefit too, Moms who breastfeed loose their pregnancy weight faster, breastfeeding stimulates the uterus to return to its normal size more quickly, they have less postpartum bleeding they have fewer urinary tract infections, they are less likely to become anemic and they have fewer incidents of postpartum depression, The benefits for mom last for a lifetime too. Moms who have breastfed have a lower risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, endometriosis, osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Of course, not everyone can breastfeed their baby and the reasons are many and quite valid. But, if you have the option to breastfeed it is by far the better choice for you and your baby. There are many, many resources out there to help you with breastfeeding and to help moms that might have difficulty breastfeeding, Your first source is your obstetrician. Discuss breastfeeding as part of your pre-natal care. There are lactation specialists associated with hospitals, birthing centers, and even as independent consultants. The internet and your obstetrician are great resources to find a lactation specialist that meets your needs. Another great resource is the US Breastfeeding Committee’s website www.usbreastfeeding.org
A final benefit to consider with breastmilk, its always warm, there is no mixing, and it will never be on a national shortage as we recently had in the US. If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, please add breastfeeding into your plans, so your baby can experience the many benefits of breastfeeding—and you can too.
