ATHENS, Ohio -- What is probably the single most important thing mothers can do to promote the wellbeing of their newborn babies? Breastfeeding them, say health officials and researchers. And research is showing that breastfeeding is an integral part of child and maternal health. "Breastfeeding is a win-win for both mother and child," said Mary McPherson, R.N., co-coordinator of the Child and Family Health Services Perinatal Project at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine's Community Service Programs.
With the assistance of the Child and Family Health Services grant, CSP provides one-on-one consultation services on the benefits of breastfeeding to underinsured and uninsured women in Southeastern Ohio. "We are particularly concerned with reaching high-risk women and children, who would especially benefit from our services," said McPherson. Breastfeeding is extremely beneficial to the newborn, cost effective and saves time and effort, she said, but not all expectant and new mothers know this.
Always ready, at the perfect temperature, clean and free, breast milk is exactly what the doctor ordered for infants up to one-year old. For a child's first six months, breast milk is all a child really needs to grow and do well. CSP also makes referrals to lactation consultants at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital and to the Women, Infants and Children program, a governmental food supplement program, for nursing mothers.
"Mothers' milk enhances the growth, development and wellbeing of infants by providing the best possible nutrition," said David Schor, M.D., M.P.H., chief, Division of Family and Community Health Services, Ohio Department of Health. Breast milk is easy to digest and babies generally do not experience constipation and other digestive problems while being breastfed.
The decision whether a mother chooses to breastfeed or not will likely have long-term consequences on the growth and success of children. Through breast milk, a mother's disease-fighting agents are passed to the infant. This results in breastfed babies having fewer illnesses than formula-fed babies. Because of increased bonding, and improved cognitive development resulting from bonding, and the other health benefits, breastfeeding can help ensure a positive physical and psychological start for babies.
Women who breastfeed also experience benefits, McPherson said. Women who breastfeed have a lower risk of postpartum blood loss, reduced risk of breast cancer and return faster to pre-pregnancy weight. Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (May 2001) indicates that breastfeeding may reduce the risk of obesity, which is at epidemic numbers in Ohio and the rest of the nation.
"We must provide Ohio mothers-to-be and their families with enough information to make informed choices about infant feeding. Once the decision to breastfeed has been made, we must provide a supportive environment to encourage the continuation of breastfeeding. Ultimately, our whole society will benefit from having healthier mothers, babies and children," said McPherson.
For more information, please call Community Service Programs at (740) 593-2481 or 1-800-844-2654.
